Travel gear and gadgets for when you're on the go

Zozi.com

WHAT IT DOES This site offers a hypnotic mix of travel activities, experiences, gear and inspiration that spans the globe as well as travelers' interests.

WHAT'S HOT This a great place for activity, tour and gear providers to connect with consumers, and from a traveler's perspective, it's loaded with getaway ideas for city lovers as well as those who prefer guided tours or small-group activities. The Journal section is packed with travel tips, and the Gear section has a healthy selection of clothing and other items you might want to pack for your trip. As a bonus, you'll find many items on sale at significant markdowns.

WHAT'S NOT Even after clicking on the Clear All button, search results for a previously selected city still popped up. -- Los Angeles Times

1 Voice Sleep Headphones Eye Mask

(Credit: 1voicenyc.com)

NAME 1 Voice Sleep Headphones Eye Mask

WHAT IT IS A huge sleep mask made of memory foam and covered in velvet, with built-in headphones.

THE GOOD It's comfy and big enough to block out light and pour soft, noise-canceling music into your ears. The Eye Mask connects to a phone or MP3 player with a long cord, and speakers are embedded in foam, so they won't bother you if you sleep on your side. Perfect for long flights or unfamiliar hotel rooms, or those times when you'd like to block out crying babies, party noise or just fall asleep to quiet tunes.

THE BAD For now, the mask may not fit to extend over the ears. According to a company rep, this is being rectified with new sizes on the horizon.

Discovery Trekking Ultra Fast-Dry Towel

(Credit: discoverytrekking.com)

NAME Discovery Trekking Ultra Fast-Dry Towel

WHAT IT IS This thin moisture-wicking towel is both absorbent and quick drying.

THE GOOD Thirsty towels can take up a good portion of a backpack. This one is thin enough to double as a wrap and works like the thickest Turkish towel out there. It's also embedded with silver as an odor-fighting antimicrobial. The towel is also lightweight, multifunctional (you can also use it as a wrap or a blanket) and has ultraviolet protection. The towels dry four times faster than most others, including microfiber.

THE BAD Sunscreens, lotion and deodorants may clog fibers and reduce effectiveness.

California Through My Lens

(Credit: californiathroughmylens.com/)

NAME California Through My Lens

WHAT IT DOES The blog is a passionate California travelogue with more than 400 posts. Look for stops along the Pacific Coast Highway, explore natural wonders and national and state parks, find inspiration for your next road trip or try a hike you've never considered.

WHAT'S HOT Josh McNair is a real traveler and his posts reflect his personality, uncovering the "Strangely Awesome" such as the Galleta Meadows metal sculptures in Borrego Springs, an ostrich farm off the 101 or Wacko Soap Plant.

WHAT'S NOT So as not to get lost, click on the Maps tab and scroll down until you reach the Map of Locations, which will help you home in on places near you. -- Los Angeles Times

Airportrs.com

(Credit: airportrs.com)

NAME Airportrs.com

WHAT IT DOES Displays the most pertinent transportation options and costs for getting from the airport to the city center in 40 cities.

WHAT'S HOT The home screen displays a grid of airport codes listed alphabetically. Click on the relevant code and you're taken to a page with a list of transportation options. You'll find the symbol of a bus, taxi, train or other vehicle with a price tag and time it takes to reach the city center. Need something to do once you arrive in a city? The site uses Viator to link to a few popular attractions and activities.

WHAT'S NOT It's still in beta so use it with caution. Hopefully more airport listings will be included. There is space on the grid for you to request an airport to be added. -- Los Angeles Times

Naot Footwear

(Credit: Juneau)

NAME Naot Footwear

WHAT IT IS Shoes, boots and sandals with insoles of natural cork and latex designed to replicate the shape of a foot.

THE GOOD Worn by contestants in the movie "The Hunger Games," by detectives on television's "Law & Order: SVU" and on Fashion Week runways, Naot Footwear designs are also perfect for long walks, standing all day and especially for the rigors of travel. Soles are engineered for support and comfort, designed like your "footprint in the sand." The best part: They don't look like fusty "orthopedic" shoes, and can compete with some of the cutest shoes and sandals on the market.

THE BAD Retail price is on the high side for sandals, but many would say they're worth it for the comfort.

Cleanse by Lauren Napier

WHAT IT IS A set of individually packaged facial cleansing, exfoliating and refreshing wipes created by celebrity makeup artist Lauren Napier.

THE GOOD These easy-to-carry purifying face wipes take the place of several beauty products. While most facial cleansing wipes are infused mostly with skin-drying alcohol, Cleanse is water-based and also contains aloe, cucumber, oat-kernel extract and other natural, restorative ingredients. Perfect for long flights, the wipes are convenient for freshening up before landing.

THE BAD Because they are made with mostly natural ingredients, Cleanse wipes are not as proficient at removing heavy mascara as other, harsher makeup-removal wipes.

-- -- MALERIE YOLEN-COHEN. Special to Newsday

Lumy app

(Credit: Santhalakshmi K)

NAME Lumy

WHAT IT DOES Tells you exactly when sunrise and sunset, a photographer's coveted magic hours, will occur at a specified destination around the world.

AVAILABLE FOR

iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch; requires iOS8 or later.

WHAT?S HOT The attractive and easy-to-use Lumy app lets you set a calendar for your location and date and enables notifications alerting you when the golden hours occur. It also gives you a heads-up about the weather for even better planning. If you're ready to step up your photography skills, you can double-tap the main screen and get seven more photo-centric times, such as morning astronomical twilight or evening nautical twilight. You can also access the information offline.

WHAT?S NOT It would be nice if the app had a community home where Lumy users could share their photos.

Tooletries

(Credit: Tooletries)

NAME Tooletries

WHAT IT IS A man's travel Dopp kit that looks like a toolbox.

THE GOOD This durable hard-shell case for toiletries keeps shampoo bottles and toothpaste from exploding, as they might inside soft-sided Dopp kits. It's also compact, lightweight (1 pound) and well built, with silicone netting that keeps items securely in place, and neoprene lining that prevents leakage into your luggage. The case is available in three colors: red, gray or black. The Tooletries rugged macho looks will please every traveling home improvement guy in your life.

THE BAD You can't stuff "a bit more" into a hard-shell case as you could with a softer, more forgiving exterior.

Hotel Upgrade

(Credit: HotelUpgrade, Inc.)

NAME Hotel Upgrade

COST Free

AVAILABLE FOR Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; requires iOS 7.1 or later.

WHAT IT DOES The app connects travelers to hotel perks such as additional loyalty points, suite upgrades, executive lounge access, complimentary drink coupons and more at large hotel chains such as Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt Place, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn and Westin in 27 U.S. cities.

WHAT'S HOT It helps you get more with little effort. The app sends you to the hotel's website to book your room, so the rates you'll find there, as well as discounted rates for seniors, government employees and AAA members, are all available. Once you're booked, submit your reservation confirmation to get your upgrades.

WHAT'S NOTThe perks aren't as good for travelers staying at a hotel only one to four nights. -- Los Angeles Times

Dufl app

(Credit: Dufl, LLC)

NAME DUFL app

AVAILABLE FOR iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; requires iOS8 or later

COST Free download; service is $9.95 a month plus $99 per round-trip

WHAT IT DOES DUFL is like a valet and virtual closet for business travelers. It stores and maintains your clothes, accessories and toiletries at its warehouse, then ships the items at your request.

WHAT'S HOT You can do it all from the app. Choose your clothes, order shipments and monitor their progress. Have two trips back to back? No problem. Some of your clothes can be sent to Boston in bag No. 1, while others are sent in bag No. 2 to San Francisco. Standard shipping is three days; expedited shipping is an extra $49 per trip.

WHAT'S NOT You can't test the app before registering. You have to ask for an invitation code, which takes three days to get. -- Los Angeles Times

Everfest.com

WHAT IT DOES Tell the site which topics you're interested in, and it gives you a page of festival options. Topics include cultural, historic, arts and crafts, faith, food and wine, books and music. Add whether you've been to the festival, want to save it for later or are already going, and it will make a calendar list for you.

WHAT'S HOT The site includes a huge number of small-town festivals and celebrations, many of which you've probably never heard of, like the Ramen Yokocho Festival in the Los Angeles area. You can search for festivals all over the world, though you'll get better results by search for a city hub.

WHAT'S NOT Search results are heavy on Texas events at first, which makes sense since Everfest's founders are from Austin. If you try different search terms and add themes, the results will widen.

PhoneFetcher

WHAT IT IS An eye-catching cord that connects your smartphone to your purse for instant retrieval.

THE GOOD This simple device solves the problem of having to dig through a purse, gym bag or backpack in that frustrating race to find your phone before it stops ringing. One end attaches to a purse handle, the other fits snugly into the phone's earphone jack. Just tug on the cord and -- voila! -- phone in hand. The bungee cord PhoneFetcher is long enough so you can use your phone while still attached. Comes in a variety of colors and styles.

THE BAD If your phone is buried beneath heavy items, and you have to tug too hard, the phone may release from the cord. -- MALERIE YOLEN COHEN. Special to Newsday

Twicer

(Credit: Kwarter inc.)

NAME Twicer

AVAILABLE FOR iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; requires iOS 7.1 or later

COST Free

WHAT IT DOES Lets you record video or import existing video and add commentary.

WHAT'S HOT This app lets you add depth and context to your travel videos before sharing them on Twitter, Facebook, etc. If you want to see a good example before you make your own, look at the great series of travel Twicer videos from "Etienne.Leroy" on zip lining, body boarding, river rafting and relaxing in Costa Rica.

WHAT'S NOT Tread carefully through the "Places & Travel" category, as well as others. Read the video title before you click through to get a better sense of what you'll be viewing. Report anything you find to be inappropriate. -- Los Angeles Times

Lonely Planet: Make My Day

(Credit: Getty Images / OLIVIER LABAN-MATTEI)

NAME Lonely Planet: Make My Day

AVAILABLE FOR iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch (requires iOS8 or later), and AndroidCOST The app is free, with limited content for six cities; additional content is $2.99 per city or $4.99 for all cities.WHAT IT DOES It's a super-simple app that lets you create your own "Morning, Afternoon and Evening" itinerary for London, New York City, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo and Barcelona, Spain. -- Los Angeles Times WHAT'S HOT The app provides a powerful quick hit or "best of" what to do in the world's great cities. You get 13 choices per section of the day with the full version unlocked. Each attraction, such as Les Catacombs or the Eiffel Tower, has a description, website info, hours, admission fee, a map and a recommended place to eat nearby.WHAT'S NOT Be careful with your swiping. One swipe of the page upward and the day you've crafted is gone.

Fly Video Editor

(Credit: Fly Labs Inc.)

NAME Fly Video Editor

AVAILABLE FOR iPhone 5 and above, iPad and iPod Touch, requires iOS 8.COST The app is free, but additional feature packs are $2.99 to $9.99 each, or a bundle for $5.99.WHAT IT DOES This video editor allows you to combine four travel videos into one. Trim, dissolve or cut to the next video, add music and save the final product to your camera for sharing.WHAT'S HOT Not only is editing easy, but you can import music from your iTunes library to include in your video. The app even adjusts vertical videos so you can use them with your horizontal ones. Need tips or inspiration? Don't miss the Instagram feed @editonthefly.WHAT'S NOT You can't include photos in your video at the moment, though a new feature with that ability will launch this summer.

DreamCheaper.com

WHAT IT DOES Forward your hotel booking confirmation email (for hotels with free cancellation) to hotel@dreamcheaper.com. If DreamCheaper finds the same room -- or better -- at a cheaper price, it will book it for you and cancel your previous, more expensive reservation.

WHAT'S HOT Savings keep getting bigger if you're booking more than one room for more than a day or two. The site claims to have found savings for two out of three bookings and cut rates anywhere from 15 percent to 60 percent. Visit the "All about the financials" section in Frequently Asked Questions if you want more information about the payment process.

WHAT'S NOT It works best when one person does the booking. If your spouse doesn't know you have been using DreamCheaper and receives a cancellation email from the first hotel booked, he may panic and rebook a hotel room somewhere else. -- Los Angeles Times

Bubble-Globe.com

WHAT IT DOES It's a marketplace that connects travelers with locals for authentic experiences, guided tours and cultural activities in New York, Paris, London, Rome and Barcelona, Spain.

WHAT'S HOT The opportunities presented are personal and unique, such as a tour of Rome from the back of a Vespa or a tailor-made culinary tour of Tuscany. Other fascinating tours include one of London's historic docks, and a day trip to the most beautiful cove in Spain's Costa Brava that includes lunch, a swim and a tour from a local who speaks three languages.

WHAT'S NOT It's a crowded category for travel websites, with competition from established sites ToursByLocals, Vayable and SideTour, to name a few. BubbleGlobe is a startup and will have to keep the opportunities interesting and plentiful to attract and retain users. -- Los Angeles Times

Digiboo

AVAILABLE FOR iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Requires iOS 6 or later. Also available for Android 2.3 or later on Google Play and Windows. Requires 4GB available space.

COST The app is free; movie rentals are $4.99.

WHAT IT DOES Think Redbox for jet-setters who prefer to download rather than stream. Say what? It's a new movie-rental option found in several North American airports. It works in conjunction with a digital rental kiosk.

WHAT'S HOT It's great if you have a long layover. The kiosk directions are easy to understand and the app downloads quickly. The best part? You don't have to rely on sluggish airport Wi-Fi because the Digiboo kiosk has its own.

WHAT'S NOT Movies take a long time to download (15 minutes). User reviews are fairly poor on both iTunes and Google Play: User experiences seemed to differ depending on their devices and Wi-Fi strength at various airports. -- Los Angeles Times

HotelsByDay

(Credit: iStock)

NAME HotelsByDay

AVAILABLE iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, requires iOS 7 or later; also available for Android on Google Play.

COST Free

WHAT IT DOES The app lists hotels that will let you book a room for the day (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) instead of overnight. Available in 11 cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Chicago.

WHAT'S HOT There are so many opportunities this app opens up: day dates for busy parents, a work space for business people or a place to rest before or after a long flight or during a layover, just to name a few. Travelers can search for rooms for "Today," "Tomorrow" or by picking a date on a calendar.

WHAT'S NOT It would be nice to see a drop-down menu to prompt users to choose one of the cities from those that are available. -- Los Angeles Times

goSeek.com

WHAT IT DOES This hotel deal website doesn't just find low rates, but also membership and senior rates, discounts after coupon savings and special rates available on your cellphone. You can also compare its prices with those on other popular travel deal websites. Subscription email alerts for personalized hotel deals or price drops are also available.

WHAT'S HOT The "freebies" filter on the left navigation bar will show you how many hotels in your search result offer free breakfast, Internet, parking and child care. The search defaults to results with the best savings, but if you want to dig deeper you can sort by value, price or rating. Also make sure to use the three-star filter (not just four- and five-star properties) if you want to include big-value hotels that you might not otherwise consider.

WHAT'S NOT The filter bar with "Savings Types" is a little confusing. -- Los Angeles Times

Best parking app

(Credit: BestParking.com)

NAME Best Parking app

COST Free

COMPATIBLE WITH iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, requires iOS 7.0 or later. Also works for Android and BlackBerry.

WHAT IT IS A guide to the best daily and monthly parking garages and lots in North American cities and airports.

THE GOOD If you're planning a road trip to Boston, Chicago or San Francisco, or maybe just driving into Manhattan, you won't have to worry about finding a place to park. Once you arrive at your destination, plug in an address, cross street, neighborhood or attraction, and the app will direct you to the cheapest nearby parking lot. Rates are updated regularly and links to any available discount coupons are provided. The app also lists airport parking deals, and covers more than 100 cities.

THE BAD International coverage is not yet available. -- The Hartford Courant

Gas Guru

(Credit: AP / Lynne Sladky)

NAME Gas Guru

AVAILABLE FOR iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch with iOS 7.0 or later; Android on Google Play.

COST Free

WHAT IT DOES Locates gas stations by price near your current location. Can also search by city.

WHAT'S HOT It can help you find a number of stations that may be cheaper (as much as 30 to 50 cents a gallon) than your usual spot. You can use the app in map mode and get directions or view by list and sort by price or distance, which is a big help on road trips. It's also easier to use than its competitor GasBuddy.

WHAT'S NOT It lack two features that would really make the app perfect -- a "favorites" list, where you could save gas stations, and a road trip calculator. -- LOS ANGELES TIMES

Gociety.com

WHAT IT DOES This social network connects like-minded adventurers and fun seekers across a variety of interests from skiing to fly-fishing.

WHAT'S HOT The website and its iOS app (for iPhone and iPad) have an inviting vibe. There are 15,000 members across the website and app (membership is free). Click on "Water Sports," "Fun in the Sun" and "Anywhere," and you'll find an inspiring "Early Morning Surf and Breakfast" in Costa Rica and an island-hopping tour in the Philippines. Select "All" activities "Anywhere" in the filter to see the most results.

WHAT'S NOT The site needs a more advanced way to search for activities by destination and dates. You can search "Newest," "Popular" or "Upcoming" plans from the home page, but it would be more helpful to see those activities on a map. -- Los Angeles Times

National Geographic Lodges

WHAT IT DOES A quick resource for boutique accommodations around the world that match the standards you'd expect of the National Geographic brand. Each property is visited and vetted to ensure that guests receive top-notch service and inspiring experiences in a lodge that stays true to the landscape and cultural heritage, has a commitment to conservation and provides benefits to local communities.

WHAT'S HOT The "Spotlight on Sustainability" section features connections between the property and green practices, the land and community. Guests who book their stay through National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World receive a complimentary "National Geographic Exclusive," an experience that helps them connect more deeply to their destination, whether it's a drum ceremony with Buddhist nuns, a dinner under the stars in South Africa or a meeting with the son of a shaman in Costa Rica.

WHAT'S NOT It would be nice if you could filter the accommodations by price. -- Los Angeles Times

Goldstar

(Credit: Goldstar)

NAME Goldstar

COST Free for iOS and Android

WHAT IT IS The easy-to-use app offers discounts of at least 50 percent on tickets to live events, including theater, concerts, sports, festivals and foodie tours in New York and other cities.

THE GOOD Goldstar uses your phone's GPS to detect your location to search for events, or you can specify a location where you are planning a trip. You also can provide exact dates to buy tickets before a trip. It can help stretch vacation dollars, especially if you are on a family vacation and need tickets for four or more people. Some events may be a welcome surprise, such as the Wynwood Food Tour in Miami. Goldstar has listings in about 30 cities, including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Citymaps

(Credit: CityMaps, Inc)

NAME Citymaps

AVAILABLE FOR iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch with iOS 7.0 or later, Android 4.0.2 and up

COST Free

WHAT'S HOT It's easy to put together your own map-based guide to favorite hot spots, whether you're collecting as you travel or planning for a trip. Details include contact info, price rating, hours, reservations, and directions for those walking, driving or taking a bus. Use the "Explore" feature to find collections, featured mappers and what's being pinned near you.

WHAT'S NOT You can connect with other people through the app's list of Citymaps users, your friends on Facebook, Google Plus and your own contact list. If your friends aren't Citymaps users yet, you'll have to email or text them to get them on board. -- Los Angeles Times

The Mobile Passport app

(Credit: Airside Mobile)

NAME The Mobile Passport app

COST Free for iOS and Android

WHAT IT IS A mechanism created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to speed travelers with U.S. and Canadian passports through customs at U.S. airports.

THE GOOD Input your passport information and take a picture of yourself, then create a pin to open the app for future trips. Answer four Custom Border Protections questions in the app, and then go to special "Mobile Passport Control" kiosks at customs. You can answer the four questions in advance, and then open the app after landing. You may still have to answer a few questions from the passport-control officer, but you'll avoid a long customs line. If you don't have Global Entry, you will want this app.

THE BAD Only Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Miami International have those special kiosks, but additional airports will be added soon. -- The Chicago Tribune

Zip + Flip Penguin Pillow

WHAT IT IS A cute, plush penguin that easily transforms into a comfortable neck pillow for kids for plane, train and car travel.

THE GOOD It's a polar opposite of what it looks like on the outside. Unzip the bottom, flip the penguin inside out, push the microbead stuffing to the side and you've got a handy U-shaped neck pillow for your next road trip or flight. If the pillow gets dirty, just clean it with a damp cloth and mild soap. It's also available in a black bear design.

THE BAD It is aimed at kids, so the pillow may not fit around all adults' necks.

Campinmygarden.com

WHAT IT DOES Connects house dwellers (and their backyards) with adventurous campers. More than half the garden listings are in Europe; the remainder are sprinkled throughout the rest of the world.

WHAT'S HOT It's not always just a patch of grass. The site features a wide range of yards and accommodations, including a 1930s bow-top Gypsy wagon in North Devon, England; a yurt on a sheepherder's farm in the eastern Pyrenees of France; and a 120-acre plantation in southern India. There's a robust facilities search filter if you're looking for gardens that have Wi-Fi or public transportation nearby, allow dogs or provide hot water and other amenities.

WHAT'S NOT Some of the listings did not have photos, which hinders the search process. Be aware of cynical listings such as one that found camping in the heart of Los Angeles' skid row. -- Los Angeles Times

Tixchart.com

WHAT IT DOES Searches for and compares low-cost carriers to help you find the lowest fares among carriers in the United States, Europe and the Pacific.

WHAT'S HOT Plug in your destination and travel dates and up pop two graphs: one charting prices within a certain number of days of your departure date; the other with prices for your return. Click on the peaks and valleys to see the various travel dates and their corresponding prices. Then scroll down to find specific flights. There's a filter bar that opens and closes on the left side of your screen if you want specifics about destinations, stopovers, duration and more.

WHAT'S NOT In a search for flights from Los Angeles to Europe for a family of three, certain segments of the trip had to be booked on different carriers and on different websites. -- Los Angeles Times

Bottle Bright

(Credit: Clean Ethics)

NAME Bottle Bright

WHAT IT IS An environmentally friendly effervescent tablet that cleans all water bottles.

THE GOOD Are you loath to use last year's CamelBak or other hydration packs or bottles for fear of ingesting something nasty from its hard-to-clean tube? Clean Ethics has devised a potent, chemical-free formula that cleanses even the rankest carriers. It takes just 20 minutes to eliminate gunk, stains and smells from plastic or stainless steel water bottles, coffee mugs, and yes, even CamelBaks using one chlorine-free, biodegradable Bottle Bright tablet. It will even get rid of stains in your coffee carafes.

THE BAD You might have to soak an item overnight to remove bad stains.

Vamo.com

WHAT IT DOES The website combines itinerary inspiration with multistop flight and hotel booking for global destinations. Use one of its itineraries or create your own.

WHAT'S HOT If you're surfing for a package deal, the website will offer you cash back when you book one of its hotel options. It's easy to filter for budget, midrange and high-end options so you can customize your style of travel. The flight itinerary is broken into individual segments so that if you don't like a segment when booking, you can opt out of it but keep the others.

WHAT'S NOT The site is easy to use, but is it really offering the best price? Checking it against the loyalty program with American Airlines as well as round-the-world fare finders BootsnAll and AirTreks, prices were all about the same. -- Los Angeles Times

TaxiFareFinder.com

WHAT IT DOES Calculates estimated fares for a variety of ride-share options.

WHAT'S HOT Not only will RideGuru give you a side-by-side comparison of fares offered by providers including Uber, Lyft and Hailo (and the breakdown of cost per initial fare and additional miles, etc.). The estimate includes a tip for the driver and indicates how far and how long it will take you to get to your destination. Click on the listing for more details, and you'll see company fare rules plus a meter with fares you could expect if you hit traffic. For those new to ride-sharing, there's a simple description of how it works.

WHAT'S NOT There are no photos (or descriptions) of typical cars a traveler might get if he or she chose Lyft instead of Uber or Flywheel instead of Curb. -- Los Angeles Times

Sendmybag.com

WHAT IT IS A global door-to-door luggage, sporting equipment and college gear delivery service.

THE GOOD Many airlines are now charging big bucks for baggage. Sendmybag.com, through its user-friendly website, makes it easy, and in many cases cheaper, to dispatch your clothing, bikes, skis, golf clubs and college dorm accessories to your destination without the time and hassles of checking and claiming your bags at the airport. Though other services have been doing this for years, Sendmybag.com will pick up from your home.

THE BAD Sendmybag.com will not pack or secure your bags or boxes for you. You also must itemize the contents of each parcel on the shipping label.

COST Shipping prices vary by size and weight, but begin at $99 to send a 33-pound bag from the United States to Europe.

Tripda

(Credit: Tripda)

NAME Tripda

AVAILABILITY iOS, Google Play

COST Free

WHAT IT DOES Connects passengers and drivers to share rides and expenses in 13 countries, including the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Philippines and Uruguay.

WHAT'S HOT If you use apps like Airbnb or Lyft add this one to your list. You'll find rides from Boston to New York ($43), Los Angeles to San Francisco ($80) and Los Angeles to Santa Barbara ($19). Women drivers and passengers who are concerned about safety can select a "Ladies only" option. The pricing guide is helpful and there are easy-to-understand preferences for sharing a car with people who are chatty or quiet, are smokers or nonsmokers, travel with pets or no pets, etc.

WHAT'S NOT It would be nice to see the rides people are offering from your general area in the near future. -- Los Angeles Times

ShaveTech Shaver

(Credit: ShaveTech)

NAME ShaveTech Shaver

WHAT IT IS A small, well-designed electric travel razor. It's available in black or white, both of which are trimmed in brushed silver.

THE GOOD This compact, lightweight razor is the size of a credit card and thinner than a deck of cards, so it takes up hardly any room in a briefcase or gym bag. The pop-out USB charger saves space and the need to find a free electrical outlet. And for most, it offers a good, close shave.

THE BAD Manual razor users might not find ShaveTech Shaver results as smooth as their own.

Tegu Pocket Pouch

(Credit: Tegu)

NAME Tegu Pocket Pouch

WHAT IT IS A set of eco-friendly building blocks that will keep tots entertained on long trips.

THE GOOD The blocks, which are created with beautiful Honduran hardwoods, have magnets safely embedded within them, so they're less likely to topple over. They're also square, which means they won't roll all the way to the back of the plane if your little one does knock them down. The set, which packs neatly into the pouch, includes eight blocks in two shapes: four cubes and four short planks.

Sosh -- City Guide

(Credit: Sosh)

NAME Sosh -- City Guide

AVAILABLE FOR iOS

COST Free

WHAT IT DOES This app acts as a city guide to fun things to do and see (you choose your interests and neighborhood preferences) curated by real people gathering info from local weekly magazines, newspapers and niche websites such as Thrillist, Eater, Zagat, 7x7, New York magazine, and more. Currently available for Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington.

WHAT'S HOT Sosh suggests unique things to do in each city, such as eating at a pop-up restaurant, discovering the best artisanal cocktails or shopping at a sample sale. Quirky suggestions include a date night at a sushi-making workshop in San Francisco on Valentine's Day and stargazing with astronomy enthusiasts in Seattle. Also available are upcoming events by the week, along with social sharing.

WHAT'S NOT How about an option to vote on a new city? -- Los Angeles Times

Spider Monkey

(Credit: Octa)

NAME Spider Monkey

WHAT IT IS A lightweight stand for the tablet or e-reader you've brought along on your trip.

THE GOOD The flexible "tail" on this handy accessory will anchor your tablet to all kinds of irregular surfaces, whether you're reading on a French Quarter balcony, video chatting or watching a movie on a 747. The eye-level viewing reduces neck strain and improves posture, and the 360-degree base rotates for easy screen adjustment. You can also wrap, curl or tuck it in place in bed or on the couch, and it stores easily.

Tripnary

(Credit: Tripnary)

NAME Tripnary

AVAILABLE FOR iOS

COST Free

WHAT IT DOES Lets you discover new places and create travel bucket lists based on photos from those who have gone before you. Go to Skyscanner to compare flight prices to your destinations. Your list is organized into a map ready for you to use.

WHAT'S HOT When you're looking at images, it's fast and easy to "heart" the ones you like. The app keeps track for you and groups them by destination. Next, click over to the Flights section and see how airfares to your destinations stack up against one another.

WHAT'S NOT The Plan feature's search bar isn't great for cities you don't know. You're better off using the app's funnel tool, and then typing in, for example, "coffee house in Austin." You'll get a list of suggestions with addresses. -- Los Angeles Times

Flight Tonight app

(Credit: Hopper)

NAME Flight Tonight app and hopper.comAVAILABLE iOSCOST FreeWHAT THEY DO To use Flight Tonight, a simple iOS app from Hopper.com, input your hometown airport code and it will return same-day flight deals -- domestic and international -- for that airport and nearby cities. Results vary throughout the day because of frequent updates. If you check later in the afternoon and evening, you'll find deals that leave the next day.WHAT'S HOT It's great for booking a last-minute trip. Check the app early in the day for the broadest selection of flight and deal options. To get details on cheap flights between two destinations, see the "When to Fly and Buy" section on the Hopper.com website. Click on "Deals" for upcoming destination-specific deals from your hometown.WHAT'S NOThopper.com is a little more work to navigate than the app, but you'll find even better prices and more destination options. -- Los Angeles Times

Crumpled City Maps

(Credit: Palomar)

NAME Crumpled City Maps

WHAT THEY ARE These waterproof, lightweight maps can be creased, squashed and easily bunched into your back pocket.

THE GOOD A no-fuss, convenient solution for the travel buff who prefers printed maps to GPS devices -- without the slapstick of trying to properly refold a map. The maps are printed on a special technological material that can be crammed into your pocket, backpack or the carrying pouch provided with no worry about refolding. Cities range from Amsterdam, Barcelona and Berlin, to Cape Town, Chicago and Hong Kong, and each map provides details about a large part of the city, including streets, monuments and a sightseeing index.

THE BAD Of the 40 maps available, Chicago, New York and San Francisco are the only U.S. cities.

NameShouts

WHAT IT DOES Sounds out the correct pronunciation of names in 14 languages, including Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Bengali and Russian.

WHAT'S HOT It's great if you know how to spell the name of the person before calling or meeting him or her. Input the spelling of a "full name" in the search bar. Once it finds the name (if it can't locate the original among the 14,000 in its database, it will suggest a similar alternative or invite you to add the name), click the sound icon and listen to the pronunciation. There's even a "Slow" button if you need the name pronounced more slowly.

WHAT'S NOT This tool needs to be pocket-size. NameShouts knows that and is working on apps for both iOS and Android. -- Los Angeles Times

Charge Hub: Universal Charging Station

(Credit: Charge Hub)

NAME Charge Hub: Universal Charging Station

WHAT IT IS A one-stop charger that can handle up to seven electronic devices simultaneously, at full speed, with just one plug.

THE GOOD The Charge Hub is a small, compact, beautifully designed disc-shaped charger with seven USB ports to quickly power iPhones, Androids, iPads and more with just one outlet. It's perfect for a plugged-in family on the road. An added bonus: You can custom design your Hub with a logo, photograph or art at no extra charge.

THE BAD It does not come with cords, so travelers must remember to bring the ones that come with each device.

COST $49.99, thegrommet.com

HostelRocket

(Credit: HostelRocket)

NAME HostelRocket

WHAT IT DOES This ad-free app lets you search for and book hostels, with more than 35,000 accommodations worldwide. Need a bed at the last minute? Same-day booking is available.

WHAT'S HOT Searching on your iPhone is much easier than using HostelRocket's website (hostelrocket.com). It's a visually appealing, quick-to-use app with hostel photos, reviews and pricing upfront. If you're looking for hostels that surprise and are easy on your wallet, you'll find them here, like Casa Alto Vidigal ($12 a night) in Rio de Janeiro.

WHAT'S NOT The review categories are extremely positive -- "It's clean!" "Awesome staff!" and "I love this place!" -- so if the hostel you're considering has only two out of five stars, be careful. You might be missing out on a different hostel with a better rating.

COST Free, iPhone, Android, web

Travel Money Tracker

(Credit: iWitness)

NAME Travel Money Tracker

WHAT IT DOES This app converts a country's native currency to U.S. dollars. You also can set up an alert that tells you when you're overspending.

COST $1.99, iPhone only

iWitness

(Credit: iWitness)

NAME iWitness

WHAT IT DOES iWitness connects to emergency services and records your whereabouts. It is set up to work in 146 countries. International users can select the region, and the app automatically localizes to the emergency equivalent of 911.

WHAT'S HOT Arm the iWitness app, and at the touch of a button or the screen, or by shaking the phone, you can start recording your predicament (for five minutes) or call 911.

WHAT'S NOT Be careful with the 911 feature if you're testing the app. Once it's armed, all it takes is a touch of the screen to set off the "calling 911" alarm. You have five seconds to cancel.

COST $2.99 a month, $29.99 a year

WORTH IT Absolutely. Even if you use it only once, it could be a lifesaver.

5 Blades Travel Razor by eShave

WHAT IT IS A sleek nickel-plated razor that breaks down for storing inside its own easily packable metal canister. The handle uses Gillette Fusion blades.

THE GOOD This thing looks a lot more like art than something as pedestrian as a men's razor. But appearance aside, this razor is so nicely balanced in the hand, it's actually fun to shave. Most important, it was designed to easily expel accumulated hair with a single run under the water. Why can't every manufacturer do this?

THE BAD Expense, plain and simple. This will appeal to guys who are financially comfortable or to generous families of more financially uncomfortable guys who really deserve something special as a gift that's going to make one of life's drudgeries a pleasure. Sometimes the splurge really is worth it.

Utrip.com

WHAT IT DOES Acts as a virtual concierge to help you plan a day-to-day itinerary based on your travel style. Available for five U.S. cities and 28 in Europe.

WHAT'S HOT There are two ways to dive in. Begin at the Destinations page for a great overview of a city and 16 ways to see it -- through sports, entertainment, food, culture, history, etc. Even better: Type in your city and the dates, then check the Trip Profile selector for suggestions. You can toggle between "The First Timer," "The Returning Traveler," "The Luxury Traveler" and "The Backpacker." It's easy to refine the picks by using the scroll bar to indicate your activity interest level.

WHAT'S NOT More cities, please. And once the suggestions were in the day-to-day planner, it would be useful if you could manipulate their order throughout the day by clicking and dragging them in the itinerary planner. -- Los Angeles Times

Scoutski.com

(Credit: scoutski.com)

NAME Scoutski.com

WHAT IT DOES Scout is a recommendation and review site that covers 370 hotels, lodges and chalets as well as 48 ski resorts in North America, Japan, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

WHAT'S HOT All the website content (and the guidebook given to customers who book a multiday trip through Scout) is written by Sarah Plaskitt, a skier and writer who has visited every resort and property on the site and has hand-picked the destinations. Don't miss the "Scout Collections" if you're looking for the most "extreme steeps," the best family resorts or lodges with the best hot tubs.

WHAT'S NOT In the "Browse & Book" section, some of the pinned resorts led only to pop-up descriptions. For the full insider's point of view, you must scroll down to a list of the resorts that links to more info.

'Walt Disney World With Kids 2015'

(Credit: Fodor)

NAME "Walt Disney World With Kids 2015"

WHAT IT IS A guide to planning a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando.

THE GOOD The book does a wonderful job of explaining the new MagicBand wristband ticketing system, the FastPass+ program and the My Disney Experience App. Families can pre-plot their days to spend the least amount of time possible on lines. The book includes maps of each Disney park, information on each ride, and tips and advice galore. This is the 25th edition of the book, and the writers have each visited the parks at least 60 times.

THE BAD The guide also covers Universal Orlando, SeaWorld & Aquatica but these parks are addressed in far less detail. And, when the book went to press, the newer Harry Potter offering at Universal Orlando hadn't yet opened, so that area is not covered in great detail.

Storehouse.co

WHAT IT DOES Select photos from your iPhone or iPad and turn them into a magazine-like photo essay.

WHAT'S HOT It's quick. It's beautiful. And unlike most photo apps, it's not so much a place to store your photos as it is to tell a story. Use the Explore feature and hashtags to discover stories related to #travel or a specific destination, such as #london or #sanfrancisco. Push the "circle" button to import photos from your phone, Instagram, Dropbox, Flickr and a menu of your images categorized by time lapse, panoramas, recently added, videos and more. Once your images are loaded, edit the sizes and add text at will.

WHAT'S NOT It would be nice if Storehouse featured more stories from everyday people.

Villy.co

WHAT IT DOES Recommends neighborhoods and hotels best suited to you based on what you want to do on your trip. Destinations include Bangkok, Barcelona, San Francisco, Paris and Seoul, South Korea.

WHAT'S HOT Pick your city, then interests, such as restaurants, bars and pubs, nightclubs, museums, sightseeing and shopping. Then, note who will be traveling and your per-night hotel budget, hit explore and a map of neighborhoods appears. A drop-down list of neighborhoods that have been scored for you and recommended hotels come up. The site is simple to use, and travelers can quickly fine-tune their results by altering star ratings, budget and activities.

WHAT'S NOT Recommendations were spot-on, but for the traveler new to the city, more travel descriptions about neighborhoods would be useful.

HazelLn.com

WHAT IT DOES Hazel Lane curates and ships boxes of treats that represent a city's spirit. Indulge in vibey, city-themed souvenirs after your journey, when you're feeling nostalgic.

WHAT'S HOT You can subscribe, or give the boxes as gifts, for one, three or six months, with five sizes to choose from and prices ranging from $24.99 to $179.99 a month. You won't know the contents of the box until it arrives. Individual items such as necklaces and art prints also can be purchased separately. The Brooklyn box was full of little-known hipster products in honor of the HBO show "Girls"; the Los Angeles-themed box included fun-in-the-sun items; and the San Francisco box had a foodie theme.

WHAT'S NOT It would be fun to see more single gifts offered by city.

"Cockpit Confidential"

(Credit: Sourcebooks, Incorporated)

NAME "Cockpit Confidential," by Patrick Smith

WHAT IT IS An airline pilot's guide to airplane basics, flight and travel.

THE GOOD As a child, Patrick Smith, publisher-writer of AskThePilot.com, watched planes landing and taking off over Revere Beach in Massachusetts, fueling a lifelong passion for the mechanics and romance of flight. What makes this book worthwhile is the way Smith integrates great writing, humor and technical knowledge. He juxtaposes wide-eyed wonder (comparing the aurora borealis, "a quivering, horizon-wide curtain of fluorescence" to "G-d's laundry flapping in the night sky") with practical, fear-alleviating answers to questions such as "Why does a plane bump, jig and turn at steep angles during climbout?"

Golfscape.com

WHAT IT DOES This website lets you plan and book golf games in the United States and 47 countries from your desktop, tablet or mobile device. Make a wish list of courses you hope to play.

WHAT'S HOT It's a tempting site for the destination golfer. The home page features golfing destinations in Da Nang, Vietnam; Cape Town, South Africa; and Hua Hin, Thailand, to name a few. There are plenty of course photos, a map and lists of amenities and weather reports, plus golfers can rate and review the courses. Users can make instant bookings in California, Arizona and Nevada.

WHAT'S NOT You're getting just a sneak peek at features. By year's end you should be able to search by city or individual course rather than by just a list of destinations. Also, some tabs do not link to results yet, but they're working on it.

Jackery Giant Rechargeable Battery

(Credit: Jackery)

WHAT IT IS A powerful portable and rechargeable external battery with two ports that can charge a smartphone and iPad at the same time.

THE GOOD The Jackery Giant can quickly charge two devices at once and is powerful enough to provide an extra 220 hours of operation. The Giant is great for camping, long flights and blackouts, and it's compatible with Apple products, Androids and most electronic devices. It also serves as an LED flashlight for up to 700 hours of illumination.

THE BAD Squat and thicker than an iPhone and weighing more than half a pound, the Jackery Giant is heftier than a "lipstick"-size charger, so it's best stowed in a glove compartment or large backpack rather than a small purse. (Jackery does offer a mini, less-powerful version.)

JetSmarter

WHAT IT DOES The Jet-Smarter app lets you book a seat on a private plane from your smartphone for flights around the world. Find deals at a steep discount or book your own charter flight.

WHAT'S HOT If you're looking to charter a flight, plug in your dates and departure times, let the app search for planes, then review your options. For a weekend L.A.-San Francisco round-trip flight, there were five options for booking a turboprop, four for "entry-level" jets and dozens more options for bigger jets -- even airliners. The deals are marked with a green tag. Click on the price to get to plane information and pictures. The "tap for more info" link takes you to a list of amenities.

WHAT'S NOT The $6,999 annual membership fee. You would have to put this app to good use to make that fee worth it. And wouldn't that be fun.

(Credit: Picnic Plus)

NAME Picnic Plus Tandoor 4-person picnic

WHAT IT IS A durable polyester backpack outfitted with all you need for a picnic for four (except the food). The Tandoor Backpack includes a large thermal foil-insulated food compartment, two insulated wine or beverage bottle carriers, bottle opener, waiter's tool, stainless steel salt and pepper shakers, wooden cutting board, cheese knife, silver-toned bottle stopper and a dining set.

THE GOOD Travelers and hikers will appreciate this twist on the traditional, unwieldy picnic basket. With the Picnic Plus your hands are free to scramble up to your favorite mountaintop spots. The backpack is well-made with zippered closures.

THE BAD The backpack is roomy but has no space for a ground cloth. An external strap to secure a rolled-up tarp or blanket would be an easy fix.

Hoboroll

(Credit: Hoboroll)

NAME Hoboroll

WHAT IT IS A compartmentalized stuff sack that enables travelers and campers to pack more efficiently and access items more quickly. Five pie-shaped compartments inside the bag and drawstrings on both ends of the roll allow for easy access and organization. Straps along the body of the sack reduce volume by up to 50 percent.

THE GOOD This lightweight cylindrical bag fits more than you think it can and compresses down to almost football size. Watch the video on the website to see how Hoboroll users fit multiple pants, shirts, shoes, puffy jacket, raincoat and toiletries in one small sack. You can fit a Hoboroll in a larger backpack along with camping gear or wear it alone.

THE BAD If the Hoboroll is filled to capacity, the drawstrings at each end don't close completely, so it's not watertight.

WHAT IT DOES Constructs an easy-to-use packing list, whether you're traveling for business or leisure, taking just the basics, bringing a baby or planning to do laundry.

WHAT'S HOT The lists made with Packpoint were smart and quick to create. You can choose items based on activities in your itinerary and add original items. After you create a list to your liking, you can save it and use it again for another trip. Do you make packing lists for others? You can share them by email, text message, Twitter and Facebook. It also lets you know what the weather will be like at your destination.

WHAT'S NOT You'll need to email your list to yourself to get a printable copy.

Urban Hybrid Briefcase

(Credit: MCT / Handout)

NAME Solo 15.6-inch Urban Hybrid Briefcase

WHAT IT IS A roomy polyester briefcase that converts to a backpack or shoulder bag, all weighing less than 2 pounds. One large cargo area, with two padded dividers, can hold a laptop, iPad, Kindle, etc. Two exterior compartments can take smaller items, such as a passport and phone.

THE GOOD This is the perfect "personal bag," as the airlines call them. That means it's not a checked bag or even a carry-on. It can slide under an airline seat while easily holding all the clothes you might need for a few days, plus an iPad and other small electronics. And don't worry about smudges; the charcoal color hides a world of dirt.

THE BAD The buckles and connectors are made of plastic, but metal accoutrements on bags are heavier and pricier.

Hipcamp.com

WHAT IT DOES Uses actual camping experiences and glorious photos of nature -- not to mention handy Google Maps -- to make camping more accessible to those who are not regulars. Have an RV, kids or need a pet-friendly campground? Search destinations using its amenities section.

WHAT'S HOT The tips section for each campground is excellent. Even the most hesitant camper will feel more confident strolling into his or her campsite with info such as this: "Remember to get a fire permit as well -- gathering driftwood is allowed, but toward the end of the summer it will likely be sparse, so bring a bundle!"

WHAT'S NOT The pictures of the general areas were beautiful, but they don't show actual campgrounds. If you need more info about individual campgrounds, the booking links lead to sites such as Reserve America, where you can book your campsite. -- Los Angeles Times

(Credit: Club Glove )

NAME TRS Ballistic Carry-On by Club Glove

WHAT IT IS A two-wheeled, tough, stylish carry-on that pairs nicely with its larger sibling, the Check-In, whose attachment strap slides over the telescoping handle of the carry-on to create a "weightless" combo that will glide through the airport.

THE GOOD The carry-on bag, like the larger versions, is almost square in width and depth at 13 by 9 inches. That means it's more linear (and seemingly easier to fit in an overhead bin). Even with the larger bags attached behind it, they will trail you neatly so you won't have to dodge travelers with fatter suitcases.

THE BAD The only thing you might miss are 360-degree wheels, but the slender design helps make up for more limited two-wheel maneuverability. It's pricey luggage, but built to last.

COST $699 for the carry-on. (Check-in is $750, and Check-in XL is $799.)

WHAT IT IS A jersey women's cardigan that collapses into its own built-in nylon ripstop pocket, concealed on the interior back of the sweater. Designed for stowing in a handbag or glove box, it's like a fashion first-aid kit for frosty airplanes, icy cubicles or frozen-food aisles.

THE GOOD Folded into its pocket, the sweater can slide into a crowded midsize purse. The open-front waterfall cardigan flatters the figure, draping to the top of the thigh. Ruching on the sleeves keeps them at three-quarter length without constant re-scrunching. Sophisticated enough for a dress, casual enough for yoga, it's available in seven colors.

THE BAD When the cardigan is worn, the pocket's Velcro closure is exposed to the shirt you're wearing beneath, so there's a slight chance of snagging delicate fabrics.

WHAT THEY ARE Sunglasses composed of a steel-titanium composite that makes them incredibly light (they weigh less than an ounce), yet seemingly indestructible. The glasses are made in Germany and Poland.

THE GOOD They seem indestructible -- drop them on the pavement, fold them, even stand on them and they still look brand new. The company claims the frames, when stretched out flat, can hold 90 pounds without breaking. Also, the screwless hinges mean you don't need to keep tightening them.

THE BAD Like umbrellas, sunglasses seem to get lost more easily than regular glasses, and these are just pricey enough to make such a loss really hurt.

WHAT IT DOES It's a bike-sharing service that lets you rent a bike or list one. To rent a bike, choose a date and time, message the owner and arrange to pick it up. For those who list their bikes, know that they are insured for up to $5,000.

WHAT'S HOT The geographic possibilities are impressive. U.S. cities with the biggest rental inventory include New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. In Europe, there are listings for Rome, London, Barcelona and Paris, where a tandem bike can be rented for $6 an hour, or $26 a day.

WHAT'S NOT There are buttons for renting surf and paddleboards or ski and snowboard equipment. However, it was harder to find destinations that offered these rentals. -- Los Angeles Times

WHAT IT DOES It's a collection of YouTube videos pinned to a map by location. The video footage must be taken by a drone (nonmilitary) and show, in good quality, the area where the drone flew. The public can submit videos, which are reviewed by the website before being posted.

WHAT'S HOT There are lots of drone videos from all over the world. A column on the home page lets you know about the most recently published ones. You can zoom in and out of the global map to find where the videos are from. It's fun to view the aerial shots of the Serengeti in Kenya, the streets of London, and Kilauea and Maui in Hawaii.

WHAT'S NOT You might want to hit the mute button; the music that accompanies some of the videos is not for all tastes. -- Los Angeles Times

AVAILABLE AS Interactive flipbook, pdf for laptop or personal computers, ePub for iPad (with iBooks), Sony Reader and all other non-Kindle e-book readers, .mobi for Amazon Kindle devices.

WHAT IT DOES This free, downloadable e-book by Overseas Adventure Travel is packed with practical tips to help you become a smarter, better-prepared traveler. It's written for women by experienced female travelers, but everyone will be savvier for reading it.

WHAT'S HOT It's filled with plenty of tips. For instance, if you want to avoid a pat-down at security, leave your money belt out until you get past inspection. The book is also filled with digital resources, info on clothing sizes around the world and a section with 25 uses for a scarf.

WHAT'S NOT The interactive flipbook is much more user-friendly than the epub for iPad 3. -- Los Angeles Times

(Credit: MCT)

NAME Clothing Arts' P-Cubed Ultimate Travel Shirt

WHAT IT IS A nylon shirt that you would swear was made of cotton. It has two secret zippered pockets hidden behind standard button pockets. If someone tries to pick your pocket, they'll never see nor feel the small hidden zippers.

THE GOOD There are the secret pockets, which will ease your mind about anyone stealing your cash, ID and debit and credit cards. Surprisingly, this is also a sharp-looking, versatile piece of clothing that's amazingly resistant to wrinkles. It dries quickly, so if you're washing clothes in a hotel sink at night, it will be ready to go the next morning. The dark gray shirt looks either casual or more dressy, depending on what you do with the sleeves and buttons.

WHAT IT DOES This website pours on the inspiration -- and the resources -- you need to handcraft your own wine-focused trip without resorting to packaged tours.

WHAT'S HOT Your options run deep. Had enough of Napa Valley or France? Pack your bags and head to wineries in Argentina, Croatia, Romania or Georgia, the oldest wine-producing region in the world. It's a Britain-based website, so it's no surprise that there are extensive European options. The Wine Hotels section features accommodations in captivating settings such as the Chateau d'Artigny in France's Loire Valley, the Cavas Wine Lodge in Mendoza, Argentina, and the Morfes Luxury Residence on the Greek island of Santorini.

WHAT'S NOT It's not for wine enthusiasts who are looking for wineries in the United States. Napa Valley and Sonoma barely get a mention, so don't expect to see other wine- producing areas of the country. -- Los Angeles Times

(Credit: iStock)

NAMEwanderu.comWHAT IT DOES It's a one-stop-shop website that lets you find and book bus and train tickets for travel in the United States and Canada.WHAT'S HOT Wanderu just added Greyhound to its long list of bus and rail partners. Greyhound routes in the Northeast and Canada will be added first. To use the site, plug in your destinations for departure and arrival (see the Wanderu Station Map for locations served), and filter your search results by price, departure or arrival time and duration (an important, often-overlooked factor). You can also fine-tune for other features, such as Wi-Fi and extra legroom, by clicking on "See More Filters" above your search results.WHAT'S NOT It's not good if you're planning a trip months in advance. Make sure you search and book your trip within the two-month window. Why? Most bus companies don't release their schedules beyond two months. --Los Angeles Times

Remaining in contact with family and colleagues is crucial, especially if you're going to be out of town for an extended time. Here are two products to help you stay wired on the road.
A great item for powering devices in the car when their batteries run low is the CyberPower mobile power inverter with electrical outlet. It plugs into your car's cigarette lighter and allows you to hook in other devices as if you were plugging them into the wall at home. $54.95 at cyberpowersystems.com.
When working on the road away from your car, having a bag or piece of luggage that's wired with backup power can be a lifesaver. TYLT's Energi backpack features a built-in pocket for a multi-charge-capable battery, connecting wires for multiple devices to charge at once, and threading slots so the wires can reach any location in the bag's numerous pockets. $199.99 at tylt.com. -- MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

(Credit: MCT / Handout)

NAME Lipault Paris 22-inch four-wheeled patent carry-on.

WHAT IT IS A chic carry-on bag that will separate you from the crowd at the airport gate. It has multidirectional wheels, a retractable handle, two plush and comfortable carrying handles, a luggage tag and a large zipped pocket for things you need in a hurry, such as a passport or boarding pass. The main compartment inside has two tie-down straps, a large zipped pocket on the inside cover and a smaller zipped pocket on the side. The bag comes in red, light blue and black.

THE GOOD The bag holds enough for a week or weekend getaway and boasts plenty of utility despite its stylish look. The glossy patent finish cleans easily.

THE BAD Though the bag has plenty of structural support, it is soft-sided and might appear a little lumpy, depending on how you pack.

WHAT IT DOES Sources where to eat, stay and play based on 675,000 recommendations and 60,000 city guides around the world.

WHAT'S HOT Heaps of new features, including the ability to share a travel itinerary among multiple users and to organize itineraries day by day and sync them with multiple devices. You don't need to set up an account in order to use the app to book a hotel, find restaurants or discover travel inspiration.

WHAT'S NOT Search results for restaurants and things to do are tagged with themes or "tribes," which is great. Unfortunately, clicking on tabs such as "foodies" or "families" doesn't work. The only way to see or edit your "tribes" within the app is to click on the "Filter" line in the bottom nav bar. -- Los Angeles Times

(Credit: MCT / Handout)

NAME 6-in-1 Grill Daddy Camping and Tailgating Grill SetWHAT IT IS An eight-piece grilling kit that provides a spatula, fork, spoon and tongs. It all fits nicely into a 121/2-by-61/2-inch zippered nylon carrying case.THE GOOD A camper or traveler -- with a little practice -- can quickly and easily assemble the tools for whatever grilling task is called for. Though the disassembled kit is compact, the elements themselves are not miniaturized. The spatula face, for example, is a hefty 4 by 51/4 inches, and with the provided extensions the tools are full size. The heat shield also is a valuable asset. The stainless-steel utensils are dishwasher safe.THE BAD The case's inner lining is a bit thin and tears after several uses.COST $39.99AVAILABLE FROM Buygrilldaddy.com and retailers such as Home Depot, Brookstone and Sears. -- Chicago Tribune

(Credit: OPEN GARDEN)

NAME FireChatCOST Free app for iPhone and iPad available from Apple's iTunes store. Getfirechat.com has further details for downloading.WHAT IT DOES FireChat allows individual phones to communicate off the grid in locations where Web or cellphone connectivity isn't available.WHAT'S HOT Want to keep in touch on a group outing, or gain a crowd-based perspective on community events such as concerts, parades or festivals? Open Garden's FireChat lets devices communicate within a 200-foot range, with messages hopping from device to device to extend the program's reach. The app uses a technology called mesh networking, which works off peer-to-peer connections via Wi-Fi radios in each phone. The latest version allows users to create their own chat rooms.WHAT'S NOT Hopefully as the technology continues to evolve, the connectivity range also will expand. -- Los Angeles Times

NAME Trailburning.comWHAT IT DOES Lets runners, hikers, mountain bikers and others share their favorite trails. Traveling to a new country and hankering for a brag-worthy trail to run? Crowdsource it from another passionate enthusiast before you pack your shoes.WHAT'S HOT It's not all about the where -- you get a story, too -- and the large trail pictures bring the travelogues to life. Need a map to pinpoint the trail location? Done. Make sure you click on the initial map to get to trail run details and extra photos.WHAT'S NOT Is it too techie? Depends on you. Trailburning says, "It's as simple as uploading a GPX file from your running watch or favourite tracking app." They do have a "trail capture guide" to walk you through the best ways to make a Trail Card you can share with others. -- Los Angeles Times

(Credit: MCT / Handout)

NAME Zippo 4-in-1 WoodsmanWHAT IT IS A smartly designed hatchet, tree saw, stake mallet and stake puller that is easily converted from one task to the next. It comes with two saw blades that stow away in the hatchet handle.THE GOOD A great tool for campers but likely not backpackers wary of weight; it's 3.4 pounds. The tree saw cuts through maples 3 inches in diameter in 30 to 45 seconds. The hatchet is sharp, nicely shaped and easily wielded. Just watch out for your legs if you chop downward; if you miss the wood, you could be on your way to the emergency room.THE BAD It's not a toy. I wouldn't let older children use it unless they have had plenty of instruction and are supervised.COST $79.95, but watch for salesAVAILABLE FROM zippo.com and amazon.com -- Chicago Tribune

(Credit: Outski.com)

NAME Outski.comCOST $7.95 to print and mail your Travel Savings Card to you.WHAT IT DOES Helps you achieve your travel goals by providing a system for saving money and organizing your travel budget. It also offers tools to book your trip and discover deals.WHAT'S HOT Saving money for travel is hard, but Outski helps you create and fund a virtual savings account by automatically debiting money from your checking or savings account. It then lets you spend your funds with a Travel Savings Card that acts like a credit card. It's also great to have the flexibility to book a trip on the site.WHAT'S NOT Outski.com is still in beta so you might need to be patient. If you wanted to get a Visa brand Travel Savings Card, for example, you can't. All that's available is Discover. -- Los Angeles Times

(Credit: Trevolta.com)

NAME Trevolta.comWHAT IT DOES Helps travelers crowdfund their global adventures.COST Varies depending on whether you have a fixed or flexible funding campaign. There's also a PayPal fee (the method used to collect donations).WHAT'S HOT Many of the trips are purpose- driven. Your "funding campaign" is placed in a category such as "Charity and Volunteering," "Education and Research," "Music and Arts" and more. If you're looking to solicit funds for your post-grad round-the-world romp, there are categories for that, too, such as "Backpacking and Hiking" and "Adventure and Sport." Unique trips get attention, such as "20 Cities in 50 Days in a Wheelchair," in which two men are trying to raise $6,000 to fund researching and writing a guide to wheelchair-accessible travel in 20 major U.S. cities.WHAT'S NOT Many of the campaigns listed on the site had already expired. Funding campaigns have a shelf life of 10 to 90 days. --Los Angeles Times

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NAME Coghlan's LED Nail PegsWHAT THEY ARE They're 10-inch steel tent stakes with very bright, swiveling LED lights affixed to the tops. The stakes also are tough as nails and should penetrate any kind of ground except outright stone. The batteries will keep the stakes lit for 30 hours.THE GOOD For anyone who has ever tripped over a tent stake and line in the dark, these stakes are a godsend. They also work as flashlights if you're heading to the bathhouse late at night, or if you want to read scary stories by the campfire.THE BAD The lights turn on by rotating the light itself, so they might easily pop on while in storage or in transit. Keep tape on them while traveling or remove the batteries.COST $4-$6 for a pack of two, plus shipping
AVAILABLE FROM academy.com, amazon.com and go2outfitters.com, or check well-supplied outfitters stores. -- The Chicago Tribune

NAME AwayFindAVAILABLE FOR Android and iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch (requires iOS 6.1 or later)WHAT IT DOES It lets you filter your email by topics and people you need to hear from while you're away. Assign the priority email addresses or keywords.COST Free for 30 days; $5-$49.99 a month after that.WHAT'S HOT If important work emails arrive while on vacation or on the weekend, AwayFind immediately sends a text to your smartphone. You can even fine-tune what time of day you'd like to be notified.WHAT'S NOT The pricing plans don't allow for a vacationer's short-term needs. A starting price of $60 a year is a lot.WORTH IT? Yes, if you and your business can afford it. It works great, and the setup is quick and easy. You do get two months free if you pay upfront for the year. -- The Los Angeles Times

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NAME Dealscoopr.comWHAT IT DOES This search tool helps you discover travel deals, including airfare and hotels.WHAT'S HOT The site remembers your home airport, so even if you don't like what you see on your main dashboard of "favorite" destinations, additional travel inspiration is a click away. On the left nav bar you'll find topic lists such as "most amazing beaches," "foodie cities" and "family and kid-friendly cities." When you select a list, up pop flight deals from your home airport to a dozen locations. Dealscoopr lets you select the departing month, then choose from a variety of start dates (such as traveling on a Friday or a Saturday, or leaving any Wednesday in the month) and the approximate trip duration.WHAT'S NOT It would be nice to have the ability to save and compare individual trips. -- Los Angeles Times

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NAME PowerPotWHAT IT IS A thermoelectric cooking pot that produces up to 5 watts of power to charge smartphones, iPods, GPS devices, etc., when heating water. The 18.2-ounce kit includes a power-producing pot and a smaller pan, plus an electrical cord that plugs into the unit. The adapter has three sizes of plugs, and the main cord has a standard USB-size plug.THE GOOD This is a camping geek's dream. In a couple of trial runs on a kitchen stove, the PowerPot charged an iPod by 10 to 15 percent while the pot simmered for 90 minutes and charged a BlackBerry by 50 percent while simmering for 70 minutes. If you let the pot boil, it will charge devices faster. The anodized aluminum pot and pan seem to resist marking.THE BAD Some critics say the pot is too large for backpacking.COST $149AVAILABLE FROMthepowerpot.com, rei.com and amazon.com

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NAMEBonVoyaging.comWHAT IT DOES It's a Web bookmarking tool that lets you collect and store your travel itineraries, complete with maps and the ability to download and share.COST FreeWHAT'S HOT This site boasts a beautiful, friendly design and the ability to print out a PDF of your itinerary. You also can access travel plans from a smartphone or tablet and share them with friends on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.WHAT'S NOT While it's super-easy to add itinerary items from the Web, there's an annoying pop-up box that comes on-screen every time an item has been added. It would be nice to have another browser tab open for BonVoyaging.com where you could toggle over and then edit the date and itinerary placement for the newly added activity. -- Los Angeles Times

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NAME ParkMe Parking (Available for Android, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch)WHAT IT DOES Provides a "heat map" of real-time parking spaces in lots and garages in 1,800 cities around the world. Sometimes you can pay in advance to reserve a spot.COST FreeWHAT'S HOT The app and Web version (parkme.com) will save users time and irritation looking for parking at a sporting event, concert, business meeting and more. You can sort your search results by "Best Price" or "Least Pain." At some point, it's not worth saving $3 if you have to walk umpteen blocks to get to the cheaper lot.WHAT'S NOT The "Nearby Places" feature is hit or miss -- recommended places are sometimes 14 to 30 miles away.WORTH IT? Yes. Who likes looking for parking spaces or lots inexpensive enough to suit your budget? Nobody. -- Los Angeles Times

NAME Findery (a website and also available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch)WHAT IT DOES Geo-tags "notes" all over the world connecting people with places, and places with stories. Create your "notemaps," or list of notes. Even better, discover the world through other travelers' lists.COST FreeWHAT'S HOT Lots of hyperlocal travel apps point out hot spots, but Findery delves deeper, encouraging travelers and locals to imprint their memories and stories on a place. Type your destination in the search bar, then click on "Notes matching 'Peru,'" for example, and you can scroll through quickly.WHAT'S NOT Don't forget to scroll right to left for more content. Also, when searching for destinations, look for green dots, which will reveal many more markers in a particular place, as well as profile pics.WORTH IT? Absolutely, and it's addictive. -- Los Angeles Times

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NAMEfarmstarliving.com and iOS app for Android, iPhone, iPad and iPod touchWHAT IT DOES Offers a directory of U.S. restaurants that serve food from local farmers.COST FreeWHAT'S HOT The website's Farm Fun section lets you search for overnight farm stays, bed-and-breakfasts, cabins, tent stays, hayrides, mazes and more. Even better is the ability to combine the type of lodging you want with the type of animals or activities you are interested in. A search for a ranch in New Mexico yielded one where there was a cattle drive. Maybe you want to visit a reindeer farm in Alaska during winter break? Too easy.WHAT'S NOT The app is crowded with not one but two ads for the iPhone 4S. A paid version of the app is ad-free and includes pictures and longer descriptions of the farms.WORTH IT? The website is terrific, but you may not want to keep the app.

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NAMEkidandcoe.comWHAT IT DOES Kid & Coe offers a curated list of vacation rentals for globe- trotting families. Rent your own home or use the list to find comfortable, kid-friendly residences for the price of a suite. Big, glossy pictures of the home and local tips for big and little travelers await.WHAT'S HOT Home rentals are great for families because they typically are more spacious than a hotel room and have a kitchen and laundry facilities. Breathe a motherly sigh of relief at houses and apartments with toy-filled kids' bedrooms and grassy backyards. Don't miss the "Things to Know" within the accommodation listing to get an inside look at a property's perks.WHAT'S NOT The site is in beta. Although it has more than 50 gorgeous destinations, there's usually just one accommodation listing per destination. If you want more choices, search Paris, southwest France, London, New York, Utah, Los Angeles and Brazil. -- Los Angeles Times

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Name Heat HoldersWhat they are Tights and leggings made with insulating yarn and featuring an extremely soft brushed inner pile. They come in sizes extra small to extra large.The good Heat Holders makes socks for men, so it's good to know the company also makes similar products for women. The tights and leggings will definitely keep you warm and toasty during those last few days of winter -- even if the temperature dips to 10 below zero -- and they also may be the most comfortable tights you'll ever wear. The leggings are extremely durable and look stylish worn with a skirt and blazer for work.The bad The leggings are less effective than the tights in extreme temps, but they are thin and comfortable and could work well as an extra layer under slacks.Cost $14.99 each on < ahref="http://www.usa.heatholders.com">usa.heatholders.com --Chicago Tribune

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Localeur (Free; available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch)WHAT IT DOES Provides ideas on culture, entertainment, fitness and outdoors, food, neighborhoods, nightlife and shopping in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Houston and Austin, Texas.WHAT'S HOT There's a terrific mix of tips for foodies, nature lovers and culture seekers, with topics like "Slurp Across L.A.: The City's Best Ramen Spots." You can keep a running list of favorite destinations and get directions by pressing the address. The tips come only from locals and the only way you can become a "localeur" is by being recommended by another localeur. There are 20 localeurs in each city, with more to come in the bigger cities. Dallas, Miami, New Orleans, Atlanta and Chicago are launching in the near term.WHAT'S NOT It'd be nice to select a few categories, not one or all.WORTH IT? Yes, though you probably won't stop checking Yelp. --LOS ANGELES TIMES

FlightCar.com: Travelers looking for an inexpensive car rental can make arrangements through FlightCar, which arranges car rentals between people who are parking their vehicles at the airport and people who need to rent a car. Owner and renter never meet. FlightCar has parking lots at Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco airports. HOT: Rentals start at $10 a day, depending on the year and model of the car. A search for a weeklong rental in San Francisco yielded a coupe in the 2001-2008 age range for $15 a day, including tax, GPS and insurance. An SUV of the same vintage was $24 a day for the same dates. FlightCar also offers curbside pickup and has car seats, too. NOT: Keep your eye on your mileage. Ninety miles a day are included in the price, but after that you'll pay 35 cents a mile. --LOS ANGELES TIMES

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NAME Sportswhereiam.comWHAT IT DOES See what your sports options are, based on where and when you're visiting. Then jump to info on tickets, news, live scores, sports bars, memorabilia and more.WHAT'S HOT The premise of the site is that you don't know a city until you've seen its sports teams, so go to a game with the locals. The "In Town From" feature on the Event Search page lets you see what's available for a future trip. You also can filter your results by sports, teams, venues, events and more.WHAT'S NOT If the site doesn't have info for your destination, it defaults to another city. Your best bet is to start your search by using the list of cities it has on offer. Expand the search bar in the "Search by City" section for a global list of regions and cities.

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NAME Pinocular.comWHAT IT DOES Lets you search based on activities you like and how far you want to drive or fly from major cities in the United States and Europe. There are 85 activities to choose from or combine.WHAT'S HOT It's helpful that Pinocular pairs vacation rental options with activities you are interested in -- and some you maybe hadn't considered. Prices, if available, are displayed in a ribbon across the photo.WHAT'S NOT There wasn't a home or reset button so you could return to the home page. Also, filters would have helped refine search results based on price. Clicking through to reserve a rental means linking to a different rental site or an individual website, which could be confusing.

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LOUNGEBUDDY A free app available for iPhone and Ipad, LoungeBuddy details everything there is to know about airport lounges, including day-use costs and amenities, with photos and reviews. Includes 600 lounges at the 60 busiest airports in the world. WHAT'S HOT: Using info about your route, memberships, credit cards and loyalty programs, LoungeBuddy provides a list of lounges best suited to your trip. You can quickly filter for lounges that are free to you, have Wi-Fi, free cocktails and showers, children's rooms and more. User reviews are helpful. WHAT'S NOT It would be nice to have a visual clue for lounges that let you invite guests for a fee. Also a filter that lets you know which lounges are open. Maps of terminals coming soon. --LOS ANGELES TIMES

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A growing number of websites help travelers rent goods and buy services from locals at their destinations. TRIPPING.COM has two personalities: As a vacation rental aggregator, it searches for more than 850,000 rentals in 36,000 cities. As a social butterfly, the company fosters a community of travelers in 175 countries who play ambassador to visitors to their hometown. At AIRBNB.COM, find lodging from an Amsterdam houseboat to a pullout sofa in Paris to an English castle. Accommodations are available in 34,000 cities in 192 countries. And at MEALSHARING.COM, find a home-cooked meal in 350 cities and 50 countries. Online profiles describe the chef's style of cooking and favorite cuisines. Hopeful guests request a meal from a particular cook and await a return RSVP with time and place. No charge for the meal, but a gift is always appreciated. --THE WASHINGTON POST

DAVEK TABLET NOTE BAG: A stylish, compact bag for your iPad, tablet, e-reader or similar device. It's about 12-by-10-by-3 inches and comes in blue, green and black.THE GOOD It can fit an iPad, passport, wallet, keys, sunglasses and room keys, and hold them securely. The main compartment seems made for the iPad, which slides in perfectly, even if it's in its own case. The bag is sleek enough to tuck close to your body with the shoulder strap, so there's no worry about pickpockets or bag snatchers. The material is tough and the buckle is polished aluminum.THE BAD It's more sleek than roomy, so don't try to load too much, thus creating unequal pressure on your digital device and perhaps cracking the screen.THE COST $135AVAILABLE FROMdavekny.com --MCT

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YOUVISIT.COM This website gives you a look at 400 college campuses and universities in the United States, Europe, Africa and Latin America.WHAT'S HOT Parents and prospective students can peruse college after college without getting on a plane. The tours use virtual guides, panoramic photos, videos and photo features that let you see inside the cadet chapel at the U.S. Military Academy or stroll around Pepperdine University and its Beaman Patio overlooking the Pacific.WHAT'S NOT The tours are thorough, but nothing can take the place of actually being there. You don't feel any energy. There are too many marketing photos of buildings and not enough "real" photos that capture the spirit of campus life. --LOS ANGELES TIMES

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Airlines in the United States lose or damage about 140,000 bags a month, or about three for every 100,000 passengers. It's a relatively small loss rate. Still, several companies hope to capitalize on the frustration travelers feel waiting by the baggage carousel only to realize their luggage didn't arrive. TRAKDOT, from Los Angeles-based company GlobaTrac, is a palm-size device that travelers can toss into their bags to track luggage via the Internet or a smartphone app. It sells for $50, plus fees.
Meanwhile, European aerospace company Airbus announced last month it is producing luggage with built-in technology that allows passengers to track their bags. The luggage also includes a built-in scale to tell whether it is exceeding the maximum weight limits. No word on the cost, but Airbus is reportedly considering letting airlines rent the bags to passengers. --LOS ANGELES TIMES

NAME Glamping.comWHAT IT DOES Sources glamorous camping options the world over -- from floating lodges in Cambodia to luxe tree houses in Italy.WHAT'S HOT The site defines different "glamping" opportunities organized by destination and by categories, such as tents, villas and huts; cubes and eco-pods, and yurts and tepees. The large photos kick-start the romantic outdoor adventurist within. The boxed TripAdvisor rating with links to full reviews should soothe skeptics. (The website includes only accommodations with a minimum four-star TripAdvisor rating.)WHAT'S NOT There's no link for direct online booking. If you want to make a reservation, you must click through to the hotel's website and book from there. --LOS ANGELES TIMES

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Y-CAM HOMEMONITOR A camera that lets you see what's going on at home while you're away by using a computer, iPad or smartphone. What's different about this camera, other than a very sturdy, high-quality plastic case unlike some lower-grade plastic models, is free cloud access for saving video as long as seven days without a subscription. Thirty-day storage costs $39.99 per year.THE GOOD A breeze to set up, and the color picture is very sharp. You also can get email alerts when motion is detected.THE BAD When using an iPad, there's about a 30-second delay. Not so with a laptop, which was off by just a few seconds.COST $199.99, homemonitor.me

HOODIEPILLOW A pillowcase with a hood fastened in the middle. Available in black, gray, red and blue.HOW IT WORKS Insert a standard-sized pillow into the case, which measures 20 by 32 inches. Then wear the hood to block out light and sound or ward off the chill of an airplane cabin.THE GOOD The pillowcase material feels like a hooded sweatshirt. The hood easily shifts on the pillow in any way you prefer, so there's room to maneuver.THE BAD Economy plane seats might not be wide enough to accommodate a standard pillow, so you might have to fold your pillow to keep from crowding the person next to you.COST $24.95AVAILABLE FROMhoodiepillow.com --MCT

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NAME ECBC Poseidon Messenger K7202 bagWHAT IT IS A lean, mean messenger bag with amazing water resistance despite the attractive look of fabric.THE GOOD Water beads up on it like it's a nonstick frying pan. There are more interior pockets than you need for a phone, iPod or whatever, plus an exterior zipped pocket.THE BAD The main flap is held in place by two stubborn Velcro strips and two plastic buckles. The Velcro creates quite a racket when opened in quiet places.COST $100 (ec-bc.com, wayfair.com) --CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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NAME Bluetune-solo Bluetooth X-Bass SpeakerWHAT IT IS A small-in-size, big-in-sound portable speaker made by Divoom. The internal rechargeable battery spits out power for eight hours, and the "audio out" port means you can impart Bluetooth capability to other speakers with this one.THE GOOD Standing 23/4 inches high, this one's a beauty. There simply is nothing like playing your favorite music in new settings the world over. This comes with a cable for non-Bluetooth devices, but the Bluetooth range is impressive. It's advertised to function at 30 feet.THE BAD One complaint: No volume control on the device, so if you want to adjust it, you need your source nearby, unless you like to walk.COST $49AVAILABLE FROMdivoomusa.com, powerfulpower.com --CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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NAME Genius Packer 22-inch Carry-onWHAT IT IS A wheeled bag with compartments for an umbrella, backup power for devices, a portable speaker, socks, underwear, electrical cords, magazines and a water bottle.THE GOOD It helps to have a bag prompting you to pack things like socks, which can be forgotten if you wait until the last minute to pack. You can buy a backup battery, serviceable speaker and micro-umbrella from Genius Packer or provide your own to fit in the designated areas. The wheels work easily, and the bag fits with room to spare in the overhead bin of a 737.THE BAD The bag occasionally falls over when standing.COST $198AVAILABLE FROMgeniuspack.com--MCT

NAME Rooomr.comWHAT IT DOES Rooomr is a hotel booking site that also seeks to improve the lives of homeless youth by donating 5 percent of its gross income to Re-Generation USA, a philanthropic endeavor of Virgin Mobile USA, at the same time it delivers hip hotels to travelers.WHAT'S HOT When tested, hotel rooms for a weekend getaway in Santa Barbara, Calif., Charleston, S.C., and New York City cost the same on Rooomr as on Expedia. It has more than 2,500 hotels in its global inventory.WHAT'S NOT There's not a lot of flexibility in fine-tuning your search results. From the home page, the user plugs in the destination, dates and number of travelers. Up pop the hotel search results (listed lowest price first or on a map), but from here, there are few sorting options.
--LOS ANGELES TIMES

NAME ECBC Harpoon Daypack B7101WHAT IT IS A daypack-size backpack you could beat with a sledgehammer and not damage. This is the ultimate "personal bag" for someone who travels with just a carry-on and personal bag. It's made with water-resistant "ballistic nylon," plus protective foam to shield a 17-inch laptop.THE GOOD Fits easily under an airplane seat and still leaves enough foot room. It's not a huge bag, but it holds plenty, plus it has that "holy of holies" small pocket on top where you can keep keys, MP3 player, etc.THE BAD One shoulder strap seemed to ride a little off-center initially; over time, it straightened out.COST $99.99, but can be found online for less.AVAILABLE FROMnewegg.com, luggagepros.com, shoebuy.com
--CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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NAME Geneva Sound System Model XSWHAT IT IS High-end travel speakers (a woofer, two tweeters), an FM radio and an alarm clock that fold into an upright position like a retro travel alarmHOW MUCH List is $250, but shop around.AVAILABLE FROMgenevalab.com and crutchfield.comTHE GOOD The bass is rich; the higher pitches are true, and at 1 pound and about the size of a fat paperback novel, it's still compact enough to carry even if you're avoiding checked bags.THE BAD The box went into a "mind-of-its-own" moment once when we fiddled with it and it hesitated and blinked for a bit, apparently trying to figure out what we were trying to do.
-- CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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NAME CitySlipsWHAT THEY ARE Packable ballet flats that fold in half and slide into a coordinating pouch that's compact enough to tuck inside a handbag or other small carry-on. The pouch unzips into a tote.HOW MUCH $29.95 at cityslips.comTHE GOOD Fashionable finishes (metallics, snake and leopard print) can convert a tourist ensemble into dining attire or provide refuge from killer heels for the walk back to a hotel along cobblestone streets.THE BAD Sizing is generic (a medium is 7-8 1/2, etc.), and we can't tell the left from the right. Typical of ballet flats, there is no arch support. The shoes aren't ergonomic enough to pound miles of pavement at a stretch, especially with sweat-inducing synthetic uppers. --CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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NAME SkyRoll Garment BagWHAT IT IS A carry-on size, shoulder-hoisted cylindrical bag around which you wrap a zippered garment bag for hang-up clothes. It's designed to get formal clothing to your destination wrinkle-free.HOW MUCH $150THE GOOD This bag is on the smaller side of carry-on sizes and will even fit in the overhead bins of regional jets.THE BAD The bag is so easy to carry with its shoulder strap, you may be tempted to walk down the airplane aisle that way, but don't. Carry it vertically with the hand strap on the end, or you'll bonk fellow passengers.AVAILABLE FROMskyroll.com or at Men's Wearhouse stores. --Chicago Tribune

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NAME Q Knot cable ties, sold in packs of 12 or 25WHAT THEY ARE Rubbery reusable ties that are meant as all-purpose fasteners but are superb for travel.HOW MUCH $5.99 for 12, $8.99 for 25THE GOOD This is a simple and inexpensive product that is invaluable when you're trying to pack, unpack or simply organize your things for a trip. The fasteners are lightweight, take little space and are brightly colored so they are easy to find. These will let you wind your cords into a bundle to conquer that wire spaghetti in your bag.THE BAD They are a little stiff at the start.AVAILABLE FROM Many online suppliers, including amazon.com. For a retail store, try the Container Store, Crate & Barrel or The Home Depot
--Chicago Tribune

Play it close to the vest. That's the motto of travelers who like to wear their valuables on the inside of a travel vest. Here are a few to check out:SCOTTEVEST TRAVEL VEST Seventeen pockets for women, 24 for men. Sizes S to XXXL in several colors. $125; scottevest.com.MAGELLAN'S TRAVEL VEST Lightweight and with eight pockets, it's fast drying. Unisex, sizes XS-2XL. $55; magellans.com, 800-962-4943.WHITE RIVER FLY SHOP VEST Not strictly a travel vest, but recommended by frequent safari photographer William Cowger; has 12 pockets. Sizes S to 6X. $79; basspro.com, 800-227-7776.EXOFFICIO BORACADE VEST Six pockets with a version for men and another for women. Sizes XS-XXL, $99.95; rockcreek.com, 888-707-6708. --MCT

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A perk of soft adventure travel is that you can avoid bringing along the bulky equipment necessary for specialized activities such as hard-core mountain climbing or scuba diving. Here are some easy-to-pack essentials:STORAGE A casual messenger bag allows stylish storage of such things as a clean T-shirt, camera gear and a tablet device.FOOTWEAR Shoes suitable for wet or slippery environments help you stay prepared for light adventures such as paddleboarding, crossing creeks and navigating narrow, wet cobblestone streets.CLOTHING While a great activewear swimsuit is a given, another good item is a water-resistant jacket such as a windbreaker, preferably one that folds into the size of a flat pillow.AVAILABLE at amazon.com --MCT

NAMEDealAngel.comWHAT IT DOES Attempts to relieve hotel search fatigue by showing only hotel deals that provide good value.WHAT'S HOT We fell in love with the visual search and flexible date bar. We want to visit San Francisco, and seeing which weekends are cheapest before crunching numbers was a huge help. Once you click on a hotel, you can toggle between its deal rank analysis, rates and reviews.WHAT'S NOT We were obsessed with hunting for an "Awesome Deal," but we never found one after searching cities such as San Diego, Las Vegas and Charleston, S.C. We'd love it if DealAngel let us know, either on the home page or by newsletter, when awesome deals exist.

NAMEPixmeaway.comWHAT IT DOES The website has you select three to seven pictures that reflect your emotions, then suggests your travel type and recommends four top destinations. You can compile a list of favorites, check hotel rates, see weather info and get a list of travelers with similar profiles.WHAT'S HOT The best part was discovering destinations we had never considered. Also, when you click over to check hotel rates, it shows TripAdvisor reviews and star ratings.WHAT'S NOT If you're a Pinterest fan or an avid Flickr contributor, you might be disappointed by the quality of photos used for the opening pages. Think of the photos as representing the mood or spirit, rather than the exact look, of a destination.--Los Angeles Times

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NAME Coghlan's Dynamo FlashlightWHAT IT IS A miniature LED flashlight, smaller than a tea bag in area, that is charged by turning a small crank.HOW MUCH $4 to $6, depending on where you look.THE GOOD The instructions: "Wind the handle for one minute to get up to 30 minutes of light." On a fresh charge, the light will illuminate the inside of a tent enough to play games, read, etc. For gadget lovers, this is a winner.THE BAD Something this well-made, efficient and cheap can't be bad.AVAILABLE AT You can find it at many online retailers, including amazon.com, and in numerous stores with camping equipment.
--MCT

SUNMATE Just push a button and this tiny (2-by-2 1/2-inch) device measures ultraviolet ray intensity using the National Weather Service's UV index scale. If one or two bulbs light up, the risk is low or moderate. When three lights go on, the machine also beeps a warning to indicate high risk. Four or five lights, it's time to head indoors.HOW MUCH $10THE GOOD In case of uncooperative kids (or husband), you can use this little gizmo as leverage to demand another slather of SPF 30 or a retreat from the beach.THE BAD Common sense may be just as effective.BOTTOM LINE You can always go to epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html and plug in your ZIP code to get the official UV forecastINFOpurelyproducts.com -- The Washington Post

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DRY DUDZHOW MUCH Men $95, women $85 ($120 with bikini top)
WHAT IT IS A swimsuit system designed to go from lounging on the beach to water skiing, running, biking, etc. Materials are made to dry quickly and wick water from the skin. On the men's version, liners that look like compression shorts hook via a Velcro-like system. For women, a bikini-suit bottom hooks to board shorts.THE GOOD The liner dries quickly and prevents chafing.
THE BAD The extra-large men's suit, which has a 38-inch waist, barely fits a man who typically wears 36. The women's styling is made for a younger woman with an athletic build.
BOTTOM LINE Buy the men's version; pass on the women's.
INFOdrydudz.com-- The Washington Post

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GARMIN GTU 10 GPS LOCATOR A small GPS device you can track via computer or smartphoneHOW MUCH $199.99HOW IT WORKS Attach the device to a suitcase, a car, a child, a husband, a wife. When you want to see where the device is, go to my.garmin.com or the Android or iPhone app, click to locate on a map.THE GOOD Despite its implications for familial espionage, we see great travel applications -- such as when you let your teen take that school trip or when you want to track fellow travelers while on the road.THE BAD When trying to track friends in a big-city setting, the GPS signal was unable to navigate tall buildings, so it reverted to positioning via cell-tower signals.INFOgarmin.com

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NAME Scosche boomCANWHAT IT IS About the size of a small Vicks VapoRub bottle or a 35-mm film canister (if anybody remembers those), this tiny speaker delivers huge volume from your MP3 player or easily outperforms your laptop speaker. It also works with iPods, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, BlackBerrys, gaming devices and more.HOW MUCH $24.99THE GOOD You won't believe the amount of sound for the size. And it's small enough that you won't cringe at the thought of taking it along even when traveling light.THE BAD Don't expect huge bass; we just don't think it's possible given the size, but you won't be disappointed otherwise.MORE INFOscosche.com

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NAME Lush New! solid cinnamon and clove shampoo
HOW MUCH $10.95 for 1.9 ounces (tins cost $3.95)<WHAT IT IS A round bar of shampoo from Lush that can be kept in a travel tin.THE GOOD The first time we tried New! we followed the directions, wiping the moistened bar on our wet hair a few times. And we had one of the best hair days in years. Because it's a solid, the shampoo is a natural for carrying in lieu of a liquid that bothers the Transportation Security AdministrationTHE BAD You cannot place the wet shampoo bar in its tin or let it lie flat without having it adhere to a surface. Mop excess moisture with a towel, then let it dry for half an hour standing on its edge.MORE INFOlushusa.com

NAMEGarmin Approach S3HOW MUCH $349.99WHAT IT IS A GPS device in a watch for golfers. It enables players to determine their distance to the hole and the shape of the green, and to keep score all in a watch with a touch-screen face that looks sporty; comes loaded with more than 27,000 golf courses around the world.THE GOOD An alternative for golfers playing a course without GPS carts or a handheld GPS device, a watch with GPS capabilities -- and Garmin says this is the first touch-screen GPS watch for golf -- is very handy, indeed.THE BAD It's a watch, so the screen is small, though yardage numbers are fairly large. It still won't help your swing.MORE INFOgarmin.com

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WHAT The Callet
HOW MUCH $19.95WHAT IT IS A rubbery holder for your BlackBerry or iPhone with pockets on the back to carry credit cards, dollar bills, a driver's license.THE GOOD Its no-nonsense design quickly slips over your phone for a snug fit, and it's available in four colors: black, blue, pink and white. Tuck in your money clip, ID, credit cards, mass-transit pass and hotel key for a less bulky way to get around on vacation. You've just reduced your Big 3 items -- phone, wallet and key -- to one out-of-the-way solution.THE BAD It looks cheap and doesn't come with a transparent cover to protect your phone's screen. It's not intended to absorb shock.AVAILABLE FROMthecallet.com

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NAME Trip DocCOST $2.99AVAILABLE FORiPhone, iPod touch, iPadWHAT IT DOES Gives you a place to store travel recommendations for restaurants, hotels, activities, airports; plus museum, bus, train locationsWHAT'S HOT This app was just what we needed, as family members and friends were emailing us suggestions for our upcoming family reunion in Oahu, Hawaii. We usually use Travel Muse for a day-by-day itinerary, but in this case, we weren't going to decide what to do until after we arrived.WHAT'S NOT As we loaded the suggestions via the website (and using the restaurant, activity and other categories), they showed up on the map as the same red pin. It would be nice if each category had its own color or themed icon.WORTH IT Great for planning must-see spots.

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WHAT Lorex Live Connect home-monitoring systemCOST $299 on the Lorex website, but, as always, shop around.
WHAT IT IS An easy-to-use camera system that works wirelessly through your Internet router to let you see what's going on at home from anywhere in the world through a free Skype account.THE GOOD The wireless camera communicates with the base unit. You must create two Skype accounts, or just one if you already have an account. You then "call" that second account (which is your Lorex camera) through your first account and you have a security window into your homeTHE BAD What you miss compared with more sophisticated systems is motion-detected recording capability, which you'd want, say, in a court case against a burglar.INFOlorextechnology.com or 888-425-6739

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WHAT P-cubed pantsHOW MUCH $99.95 for the business traveler version (khaki or brown); $109.95 for the adventure pants (green or gray)WHAT THEY ARE Adventure and business pants from Clothing Arts of North Woodmere that are pickpocket-proofHOW THEY WORK Large pockets with zippers and buttons make unauthorized access difficult, if not impossible. The front pockets not only are zippered, but each has a button flap for extra security.THE GOOD Loaded up with a water bottle, reporter's notebook, wallet, two mobile phones, pens, checkbook, cash and change, they were comfortable and not clown-pants bulgy.THE BAD So much storage room, you might have trouble remembering where you stashed your stuff.MORE INFO 516-639-0937, clothingarts.com

WHAT Travalo Excel
HOW MUCH $20WHAT IT IS A refillable aluminum spray container for traveling with your favorite scent without risking confiscation by the Transportation Security Administration.HOW IT WORKS Pull the atomizer tip off the spray bottle of your perfume or cologne, place the Travalo fill valve against the bottle's exit tube and push down repeatedly until the Travalo is loaded.THE GOOD It's about the size of a lipstick, so you won't be adding to your baggage burden.THE BAD If your perfume or cologne isn't in a spray bottle, there's no way to get it into the Travalo unless you transfer it to some kind of spray bottle that will mate with the Travalo.MORE INFOtravalo.com

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WHAT CordCruncher Headphones, earbuds whose wires are sheathed in a hypoallergenic elastic tube that keeps the wires from tangling
HOW MUCH $20-$30
WHAT THEY DO When not in use, the wires are recessed in the sheath. To use the earbuds, hold the jack end in one hand, the buds in the other and pull the wires to extend them out of the sheath -- as long as 3 1/2 feet. When done, hold each end of the sheath and stretch. The wires retreat back into the sheath.
WHAT'S HOT They are perfect for a traveler or commuter.
WHAT'S NOT You can't expect huge sound, but you can expect good sound.
MORE INFOcordcruncher.com

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NAMEBlackTomato.comWHAT IT DOES This website -- using travel photos as a gateway -- creates tailor-made trips and adventures for such things as a 10-night trip cycling the Himalayas or a private wine and truffle tasting at a fine restaurant in Milan.
WHAT'S HOT Go to the "Browse by Need" section and you'll have fun spinning the wheel of suggestion. Enter the month you'd like to travel, select the reason for your trip -- a retreat, a honeymoon -- and see where Black Tomato takes you.
WHAT'S NOT The trips are so customized that not all have a full itinerary or cost. Many offer suggestions that ask you to call for more details. Annoying, but the travel ideas they do highlight will make for a brag-worthy experience.
-- Los Angeles Times

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NAMESeatGuru by TripAdvisor
AVAILABLE FORiPhone, iPod touch, iPadWHAT IT DOES Provides more than 700 color-coded seat maps for nearly 100 airlines. Get seat advice, search and book flights, and check your flight status with real-time alerts.
COST Free
WHAT'S HOT In the air, it can find the terminal and gate for connecting flights. With restaurant info, you can plan where to eat on short layovers.
WHAT'S NOT People are accustomed to using the comparison charts on SeatGuru.com, but we couldn't find the website on the app. You could, however, sort route info by time of day and compare planes and seats that way before booking.
WORTH ITAndroid users may wish they had their own version.

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WHAT CarryOn FreeWHAT IT IS A bag designed to comply with Spirit Airlines' maximum limits for a personal bag, thus avoiding fees. It comes in black and three colored patterns, and is made of polyurethane or polyester. It has a 23-inch telescoping handle, wheels and a strap handle.WHAT'S GOOD Roomier than you might think. In addition to the main zippered compartment, there is a smaller compartment and a handy compartment in front for boarding passes and passports. In an overhead bin, it takes up less space than a standard carry-on.WHAT'S BAD Designed to meet Spirit's specifications, it may not pass muster with other airlines. In many cases, however, all they require is that a personal bag fit under the seat. The bag is heavy for its size: 7 pounds empty.COST $54.99 from carryonfree.com

WHAT Hipzbag Square Passport Bag
HOW MUCH $28
WHAT IT IS Faux-leather bag, 5 1/2 inches square, that clips to belt loops or to a provided waist strap that fits 24 to 45 inches around.
WHAT'S GOOD A smaller, stylish alternative to a fanny pack for carrying keys, phone, cash, cards and a passport, which fits perfectly zipped inside the main compartment or in the back sleeve. The larger of two zippered compartments in front would make a handy cash stash. Though it's attractive enough to display, a blazer would cover it. Hipzbag markets heavily to women, but the brown and black passport bags are no compromise to masculinity.
WHAT'S NOT The smaller zipper compartment is tiny.
AVAILABLE hipzbag.com

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WHAT Aircraft Toiletry KitHOW MUCH $29.95WHAT IT IS The kit features a pouch made from super-light, recycled fabric. Stuff nonliquid items into that. A second pouch is clear plastic, detachable, has a large zippered opening and is good for those 3-ounces-or-less bottles of shampoo, etc. It attaches to the fabric portion of the kit with a zipper and gripper snap fastener. A hook allows you to hang the kit in the bathroom.WHAT'S GOOD It was no problem moving through U.S. or international airport security with this bag. The kit's soft structure makes it easy to pack in a carry-on case. And, as always, it's helpful to pack dry items separate from potentially leaky liquids.WHAT'S NOT The zippers (four), fasteners and pockets within compartments can be confusing until you figure out how to make the kit work for you.AVAILABLEkivadesigns.com, ebags.com

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WHAT Stem Innovation's iZon iPhone-compatible room monitorHOW MUCH $130WHAT IT IS A small color camera with a microphone that connects to your wireless network so you can use Stem's free app on your iPhone to check on your home when you're not there.WHAT'S GOOD The iZon costs less than its competitors and quickly joins your network. More than 100 cameras can be connected to your network at $130 a pop, so you can cover as many rooms in your home as you'd like. You can remotely record snippets of audio and video to your free YouTube account for private viewing and remotely activate motion sensing.WHAT'S NOT The camera is nearly useless in lowlight settings. You can't take snapshots of the room remotely. You can't zoom or pan the camera.AVAILABLEsteminnovation.com

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WHATnerdydaytrips.comWHAT IT DOES Offers funky pit-stop options for road trips in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and more.WHAT'S HOT Anyone can add their favorite quirky exhibits and locales to this user-generated map of eccentric museums and pit stops. It's global, so you could plan a trip to Jaipur, India, around a visit to the Jantar Mantar, a collection of architectural astrological instruments, or travel to Arcachon, France, to see the tallest sand dune in Europe.WHAT'S NOT The site is map-based, so clicking on pins and seeing what's there gets old quickly. It would be nice if you could navigate the great finds by category (even though there are a lot of science museums) to make trip planning more fun. Otherwise, you might never know that you could rent the same room at the Joshua Tree Inn where Gram Parsons died.

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WHAT Space Bag to GoHOW MUCH $4.95WHAT IT IS A vacuum storage bag with ziplock-type seal. The bag rolls up, forcing air out and creating a kind of luggage "brick" of your clothing, dramatically cutting down the space needed. The medium roll-up is perfect for carry-ons.WHAT'S GOOD At a time when many travelers are trying to rid themselves of checked bags because of fees, this will give you a fighting chance to pack enough clothing in a carry-on for a weeklong trip (even if it looks like vacuum-packed TV dinners). Space Bag also offers luggage-size bags that push down rather than roll up.WHAT'S NOT Because it takes so much less space, you will be able to pack more clothing, but that is going to make for one heavy bag. And one neatness caveat: Though casual clothes came out wearable, a dress shirt did wrinkle.AVAILABLEspacebagbrand.com and retail stores such as Target.

WHAT Kanex AirBlueHOW MUCH $49WHAT IT IS Bluetooth receiver connects to the Aux In of car or home stereos to stream music from smartphones or other Bluetooth devices with the A2DP profile (a Bluetooth device available the last couple of years). Powered by rechargeable 10-hour battery.WHAT'S GOOD Small and convenient, controls the music from about 30 feet away. Connects to sound systems that have 3.5-mm inputs or RCA phono inputs so you can listen to your phone or tablet's music over big speakers, even in your car, if it has an Aux In jack.WHAT'S NOT Playback will have some hiss, but music files encoded in the AAC format will fare better than MP3 music. The instruction booklet is printed in type so small that it's almost unreadable.AVAILABLEkanexlive.com

WHAT TriposoAVAILABLE FORAndroid, iPhone and iPadHOW MUCH FreeWHAT IT DOES Are guidebooks slowing you down? Try an offline travel guide on your mobile device. Triposo uses algorithms and vector maps to turn travel data into comprehensive travel guides that show you where to eat and popular places to sightsee. There are more than 50 city destinations for Android, 30 for the iPhone and 20 for the iPad. At least 10 country guides for all three, too.
WHAT'S GOOD The sightseeing feature is fantastic. Read information in a column on the left side of your iPad while you touch and browse photos on a map on the right. Keep clicking for more information on a specific attraction. Make a list of your favorites and access them once you're in the city.WHAT'S NOT It took a long time to download on both Android and iPad. The info is steeped in detail from open-content sources. Some categories were thin in big guidebook cities like London.WORTH IT? Yes, if you have time to load it before your trip.

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WHAT Cocoon Grid-It Wrap for iPad
HOW MUCH $30
WHAT IT IS A protective neoprene sleeve for iPads and other tablets. It has a nest of elastic straps laid out in a grid, with a seemingly infinite number of configurations to snugly hold earphones, adapter, phone and other totables.
WHAT'S GOOD Anything that's as big as your hand or as small and thin as a dime can nestle into the straps. There are no belts, buckles or Velcro to adjust. Slip your stuff in and go. Everything stays snug and organized, even when you're running to catch a bus.
WHAT'S NOT No handle or shoulder strap, so you have to carry it in your hand or tuck it in a backpack, shoulder bag or messenger bag. Cocoon does, however, offer higher-priced shoulder bags with a Grid-It system.
AVAILABLE cocooninnovations.com

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WHAT True Utility FlashStashHOW MUCH About $16WHAT IT IS A 30-lumen LED flashlight with a compartment for stashing cash or pills or matches. It requires four lithium batteries, which are included.WHAT'S GOOD Made of aircraft aluminum, it's a tough, well-made light with enough power to use as a backpacking light or as an emergency light source for changing a tire. Plus, the stash compartment isn't going to attract anyone's attention and the idea of having a backup bill around, even $5, is appealing.WHAT'S NOT At 3 inches long, it's a bit bulky for a key chain. Directions explaining you have to peel the wrapper off the batteries would be useful.
AVAILABLE trueutility.com

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WHAT The Simple Pillow
HOW MUCH $40
WHAT IT DOES The concept is straightforward enough. Citing the traveler's scourge of neck pain, a company called Method Simple has created a fancier version of this uncomplicated accessory for when lying down isn't an option.
WHAT'S GOOD The pillow is 11 1/2 inches long, shaped like a football collar, with a meshlike moisture-wicking fabric across the bottom and a neoprene backing for traction. A built-in pump inflates an internal air chamber for a customized fit; it works, cradling the neck and head without feeling like a brace (a less-expensive model doesn't have a pump and doesn't offer as much support).
WHAT'S NOT It was built for support, not for cramming into your carry-on bag. But if you have space, it beats your seatmate's shoulder.
AVAILABLE methodsimple.com --THE WASHINGTON POST

WHAT Leaf Peepr app
COST Free
AVAILABLE FOR iPhone, Android
WHAT IT DOES Lets users check fall color status by region or ZIP code, and also offers interactive elements like the ability to upload new reports and photos to Yankee Foliage.com's fall foliage map.
HOW IT WORKS Users can call up areas in the Northeast and see how other users have ranked the foliage with color-coded designations for green, turning, moderate, peak, fading and gone. Users can contribute to the app's info by snapping a photo of the foliage at their location and uploading it with a ranking and comment.
WHERE yankeefoliage.com/live-fall-foliage-map/leaf-peepr-app.php

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WHAT UsingMiles.comWHAT IT DOES This site stores your frequent flier info and alerts you to deals and bonuses. UsingMiles.com organizes your travel loyalty reward programs and lets you search and book travel using your debit/credit card, award flights or reward points. If you choose to book an award flight, it takes you straight to the airline website, for example, signs you in automatically and presents you with your options.WHAT'S HOT It alerts you before your miles expire and offers tips on how to keep them. On Don't miss the Daily Deals section on the home page where you can learn about ways to get bonus points.
WHAT'S NOT You might not see reward programs for Southwest Airlines or other carriers you use frequently. The providers that are "coming soon" are found on the FAQ page, but some on the list already are active, such as Virgin American Elevate and Best Western Rewards.

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WHAT AqueduckHOW MUCH $13WHAT IT IS A faucet extender created by a mom who wanted to avoid lifting her kids up to reach public sinks. A silicone-like part slips onto the faucet, channeling water into a curved piece of plastic.WHAT WORKS The piece doesn't take up much space.WHAT DOESN'T Professes to fit most faucets, but on a test run,the opening for the faucet was too small for the not unusually thick spout. The rubbery lip that slides on to grip the faucet hung up on the metal, forcing the water backward and onto the counter. When finally in place, the results were underwhelming -- the water was redirected only a few inches forward from the original flow. For most small kids, it wouldn't be enough to make a difference. The gadget is likely to block the motion-activated sensors common in public bathrooms.AVAILABLEpeachyco.com

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WHAT TrackerSavvyHOW MUCH Free ($1.99 pro ad-free version)AVAILABLE FORAndroidWHAT IT IS Easily track a range of measurables, from how much you're spending on gas to how much water you drink a day to categories you create yourself.
HOW IT WORKS From the home page, tap an icon: weight, water, expenses or time. From there, record your progress each dayWHAT'S GOOD Quick and handy, TrackerSavvy Free takes hardly any time to use. Afterward, you get a good idea of how you spent your time or money, or how much you've gained, lost or consumed. With some tasks, you can set goals.WHAT'S NOT There's no way to print out or export reports (though you can send tweets of successes and failures).INFOmarket.android.com

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WHAT Ballistic iPhone 4 Hard Core (HC) CaseHOW MUCH $30WHAT IT IS A shock-absorbing case and holster for iPhone 4. Ballistic has a case for the AT&T version of the iPhone 4 and another for the Verizon Wireless iPhone 4. The case comes in five layered parts, including a clear protective sheet for the touch screen and a stiff holster that cradles everything and keeps it close to you.WHAT'S GOOD Even the rigid pieces can flex a little, so if you drop your phone, the shock of impact is absorbed by the rigid, cushy goodness of the Ballistic Hard Core case. The multiple layers of protection manage to stay out of the way when you're connecting earphones and docking cables.WHAT'S NOT The clear sheet protecting the touch screen is clear in name only; it bears a slight haze that will make your phone's high-definition display seem less high-def.AVAILABLEgoballisticcase.com.

WHAT CoverluggHOW MUCH $30 to $35WHAT IT IS A flexible neoprene luggage cover that comes in numerous designs, which can make old beat-up luggage look not only new, but designer cool. Or slip it over an otherwise nondescript bag so you know the instant you see it on the baggage carousel that it's yours. The sheath slides over your bag, from carry-on size to standard-size suitcases.WHAT'S GOOD Old luggage will look new again. You could even make mismatched pieces look like twins. The washable covering discourages otherwise curious hands when you're not paying attention.WHAT'S NOT It may not be a good option for checked bags -- handlers could conceivably grab a bag by the Coverlugg and denude the suitcase in one toss. Maybe future designs could include Velcro fastening help.AVAILABLEcoverlugg.com

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WHATCalifornia Sunbounce Sun-Sniper Strap ProHOW MUCH $82.74WHAT IT IS A camera strap with muscle. A steel cable about the thickness of pencil lead is sewn into a looped nylon camera strap, which is meant to be worn across the body, extending below the waist. The idea is to prevent tourist-targeting bad guys from doing the cut and run.WHAT'S GOOD The strap does as promised. It takes a little getting used to, but if you carry a digital single-lens reflex camera with a short zoom and stick to that, this strap could be for you.WHAT'S NOT It costs $40 to $50 more than the average camera strap, so you'd better believe this is exactly what you've been looking for in a camera strap. If you're carrying a heavy DSLR, the single-point connection to the tripod socket does not inspire confidence.AVAILABLEbhphotovideo.com

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